Forensic Investigator

Duties

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responds to death scenes to document, recover and identify human remains, and collect and preserve physical and biological evidence.
• While on scene, responsible for directing decedent transport staff in helping with manipulation of the decedent, property collection, and evidence collection at scenes.
• Locates and notifies family of death, responds to inquiries from families and law enforcement agencies, and provides for complete transition of information from shift to shift and team to team.
• Prepares and submits to all designated parties’ reports covering operations and jurisdictions.
• Supervises the admission and release of bodies to ensure procedural compliance, protects the integrity of specimens and evidence, and ensures proper identification and storage.
• This includes supervision of decedent transport staff both at scenes and in the office.
• Coordination with Forensic Transporters and Forensic Transporter II's for scene response and decedent recovery from hospitals/scenes.
• Testifies in court proceedings regarding investigation, observations, and documentation procedures at the scene.
• Notifies the Supervisor, Director of Forensic Investigations, and/or Assistant Deputy Chief Medical Examiner of special problems or interests.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Director of Forensic Investigations and/or Assistant Deputy Chief Medical Examiner.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS MAY BE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW; AN OFFICIAL CERTIFIED ORIGINAL WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY JOB OFFER. THIS POSITION IS CONDITIONAL UPON PASSING A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND A DRUG SCREENING.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts/Science degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Anthropology, Biological Sciences, or an equivalent field.

Licensure:

• Valid driver's license is required (Texas within two weeks of employment)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of crime scene investigation, photography, fingerprints and basic human anatomy.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Effective organizational and time management skills are all essential to satisfactory job performance.
• Basic computer skills including computer systems using Microsoft Office and standard applications.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Natural ambulation and manual dexterity are required due to the essential physical demands of manipulating bodies as part of the investigation and in loading/unloading bodies, including the ability to climb stairs, industrial and commercial structures; ability to board ships; and the ability to spend whatever time necessary on one's feet to investigate and/or recover human remains

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

• Graduate degrees in a related field

Experience:

• Experience (previous employment or internships) in a medical examiner's office
• Experience with exposure to human remains at some point during schooling or prior work experience

Licensure:

• Current registry (diplomate) level certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)

General Information

Location:

• Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences - 1861 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054

Work Environment:

• Work involves possible exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• May come in contact with blood and/or blood-borne pathogens and will require training in Universal Precautions.

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