Deputy Coroner I

Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Receive reports of death and establish Coroner's jurisdiction;
• Investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, perform physical examination of the remains and interpret injuries;
• Collect and protect evidence, take possession of the body and supervise the removal of the remains from the place of death to the county morgue as appropriate;
• Confer with law enforcement agencies to coordinate death investigations resulting from criminal acts;
• Identify and secure property of the decedent as an agent of the Public Administrator or for the decedent's next-of-kin;
• Obtain photographs and fingerprints from the decedent, and positively identify the deceased through the use of fingerprints or other means;
• Locate and personally notify decedent's next-of-kin, providing information regarding the death and Coroner's Office procedures while obtaining background information for the investigation;
• Evaluate potential need for support services for family members and make referrals as necessary
• Consult with the decedent's physician, hospitals, other medical personnel, and obtain and review medical records to identify pertinent medical history and circumstances pertaining to the investigation;
• Brief and supervise the forensic pathologist during formal forensic autopsies and external examinations;
• Accept and label specimens collected during autopsy or external examination, safeguard and log evidence, and perform other related tasks as necessary in order to maintain chain-of-custody;
• Evaluate need for dental and full body x-rays; obtain and develop films when necessary;
• Collect postmortem body fluids and determine and order necessary toxicological testing;
• Determine need for forensic sub-specialty evaluation and coordinate referrals appropriately;
• Interview and deal tactfully and effectively with persons under stressful circumstances;
• Ensure accurate completion of the State of California Death Certificate; sign and file death certificate with Registrar of Vital Records;
• Prepare clear and concise official reports of the investigation;
• Testify in both Civil and Criminal proceedings as required;
• Be subject to on-call/call-out, nights, weekends and holidays, work in all weather conditions and varied terrain, and perform other duties as assigned.

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

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Graduation from High School or G.E.D certificate and a minimum of two years of college (60 semester units) with coursework in forensic science, criminal justice, anatomy, biology, or other relevant fields.

Certification:

• Successful completion of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Coroner's Death Investigation Course, PC 832, and fingerprint comparison and analysis courses must be completed within twelve (12) months of appointment.

Special Requirements:

• Incumbents must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. Be free from any physical, emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of Deputy Coroner powers, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with California Government Code Section 1031. Pass a background investigation conducted in compliance with California Government Code Section 1031 and to the satisfaction of the Sheriff-Coroner.

License:

• Positions in this classification require incumbents to possess and maintain a valid California driver's license, Class C or higher, to carry out job related duties. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical or mental disability may request a reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge of:

• Incumbents are expected to have knowledge of basic anatomy, physiology and medical terminology, computer word processing, California Penal Code, Government Code, Health and Safety Code, and Welfare and Institutions Code relating to the function, jurisdiction and authority of the Coroner's Office, and techniques of forensic investigation, with emphasis on investigation of deaths to determine cause and manner, sources for identifying and locating persons, standard techniques for gathering and preserving physical evidence, and rules of evidence.

Ability to:

• Use critical thinking skills in solving problems, analyzing situations and taking effective action. Work effectively under unpleasant conditions. Manually lift one hundred pounds onto a gurney, and assist in carrying bodies in adverse conditions.

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