Deputy Investigator (Coroner's Department)

County of Berks•Reading, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Investigator conducts medicolegal investigations into deaths within the Coroner’s jurisdiction, including sudden, unexpected, violent, suspicious, or unattended deaths. The role involves collecting and evaluating information from death scenes, gathering relevant medical and social history, coordinating with law enforcement and forensic experts, and preparing detailed reports to help determine the cause and manner of death. The position requires responding to scenes and performing investigations in varied and sometimes hazardous conditions. Duties include examining and documenting decedents, collecting evidence and specimens, maintaining chain of custody, assisting with autopsies, coordinating decedent transport, identifying decedents and notifying next of kin, and processing disposition authorizations. Investigators must complete office training and required education and certification, testify when requested, and provide on-call and emergency coverage, including nights, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime. Physical presence in the office is required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED from a recognized issuing agency.
Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
Ability to obtain body fluids using proper phlebotomy techniques and preserve specimens for toxicological testing.
Ability to safely perform essential job functions while wearing required personal protective equipment and following bloodborne pathogen safety protocols.
Ability to complete the office training program.
For full-time employees, completion of a 40-hour Coroner’s Basic Education Course presented by the Pennsylvania State Coroner's Association and Pennsylvania State Coroners’ Education Board (PSCEB), including a passing grade on the final test, is required for continued employment.
Maintain annual continuing education requirements established by the PSCEB.
For full-time employees, obtain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) certification within 18 months of hire and maintain certification throughout employment.
Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully, showing compassion and empathy in sensitive situations.
Basic knowledge of law enforcement, fire investigation, and emergency medical fields, or willingness to become familiar with them.
Basic knowledge of reading, writing, grammar, and arithmetic.
Ability to handle stress, maintain attention to detail and integrity, and work independently in high-stress environments.
Ability to work well with coworkers and supervisors and be ready to work at the start of the assigned time.
Ability to handle death investigations confidentially and respectfully.
Physical presence in the office is required.
Ability to move, lift, and carry human bodies of varying weights and drive a vehicle in all types of weather.
Proficiency operating computers, cellular phones, cameras, and other electronic devices essential to investigations.
Availability for on-call coverage across all shifts as needed, including nights, weekends, and holidays; ability to work mandatory overtime and provide shift coverage.
Ability to respond to major emergencies or mass-disaster events when directed, including when off duty.
Ability to testify at depositions or in court when subpoenaed or requested.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of prior experience in medicolegal investigations.
Background in law enforcement, fire service, nursing, emergency medical service, mortuary science, death-related fields, or recent college graduation.
Certification or eligibility for certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI).
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Nursing, Mortuary Science, or a related field.
Prior experience working in a Medical Examiner or Coroner’s office.
Knowledge of forensic pathology and medicolegal terminology.
Familiarity with evidence handling, death scene protocols, and investigative techniques.

Responsibilities

Receive calls for service from the Berks County Communications Center, outside agencies, or supervisors.
Determine jurisdiction and whether further examination or an autopsy is warranted.
Respond promptly to death scenes and conduct thorough, unbiased investigations.
Examine decedents and document findings through photography, sketches, and written notes, using knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
Assess suspicious or non-suspicious deaths and estimate time of death based on body conditions, including rigor mortis, livor mortis, algor mortis, and decomposition.
Photograph death scenes and decedents.
Collect evidence and secure personal property according to legal and departmental procedures.
Interview witnesses, family members, and first responders to gather historical and circumstantial information.
Safely and respectfully transport decedents to the morgue or designated facility when further examination or testing is required.
Coordinate with forensic pathologists, toxicologists, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and funeral homes.
Assist with forensic autopsies and other medicolegal examinations, including evidence collection, documentation, and support tasks.
Prepare detailed investigative summaries and official reports.
Maintain chain of custody and comply with local, state, and federal laws.
Identify decedents, determine next of kin, and provide death notifications in person or by telephone.
Assist funeral home representatives with decedent removals when necessary.
Obtain body fluids using proper phlebotomy techniques; preserve, document, and package specimens for toxicological testing and transport while maintaining chain of custody.
Safely perform essential duties while wearing required personal protective equipment and following bloodborne pathogen safety protocols.
Process, investigate, and issue cremation and other disposition authorization requests in accordance with laws, regulations, and office procedures.
Complete daily vehicle and equipment inspection checklists.
Complete the office training program and participate in training, peer reviews, and professional development.
Provide on-call coverage across shifts as needed, including nights, weekends, and holidays; work mandatory overtime and provide shift coverage.
Report early or remain beyond scheduled hours during high-demand periods, assisting in the office and at death scenes as needed.
Respond, on or off duty, to major emergencies or mass-disaster events in Berks County or counties covered by the Mutual Aid Agreement when directed by the Coroner or a supervisor.
Testify at depositions or in court when subpoenaed or requested.
Move, lift, and carry human bodies of varying weights and drive in all types of weather.
Operate computers, cellular phones, cameras, and other electronic devices used in investigations.
Handle death investigations confidentially and respectfully, communicate compassionately with people in difficult circumstances, and work independently and cooperatively with coworkers and supervisors.
Perform other duties and assignments as deemed necessary by the Coroner or supervisors.