Medical/Legal Investigator

Broward County • Fort Lauderdale, FL

3d

About The Position

The Medical Legal Investigator performs technical, laboratory, and investigative work for the Broward County Office of the Medical Examiner and Trauma Services. The role involves conducting interviews and research in office and field settings to help determine the cause and manner of death, and using crime laboratory technology, including photography, to document scenes and collect evidence. The investigator uses independent judgment to select relevant information and evidence. Work is performed under general supervision, with the employee independently developing work methods and sequences; assignments and completed work are reviewed by a technical or administrative superior.

The investigator responds to death scenes, documents and examines deceased persons, gathers medical and family history, researches missing persons and cold cases, and prepares case records, death certificates, releases, and reports. The role also involves communication with families, funeral homes, medical providers, police, and the public. Depending on assignment, the investigator may lead or train other investigators, oversee programs involving indigent or unclaimed bodies and cremation approvals, manage unidentified-person cases, or assist with investigative equipment and vehicles.

The position requires routine and frequent exposure to radiation, diseases and pathogens, extreme temperatures, wet or humid conditions, odors, dust, poor ventilation, fumes, and toxic or caustic chemicals. Physical work includes walking, standing, stooping, stretching, and regularly lifting or exerting 20 to 50 pounds. Employees may be called upon to perform emergency service duties during disasters or other emergency conditions.

Requirements

• Associate degree in criminal justice or biological science, plus evidence of six months of volunteer work or an internship in the field; alternatively, one year of related investigation experience, including six months of knowledge and experience using medical terminology.
• Must obtain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigator (ABMDI) certification at a minimum of the Diplomate Level within 24 months of hire and maintain it for the duration of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver's License for the duration of the assignment.
• Ability to conduct investigative interviews and research, assess information and evidence, and use independent judgment in selecting relevant information.
• Ability to perform the physical demands of medium work, including regularly exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force.

Responsibilities

• Responds to death scenes; photographs and examines deceased persons for documentation and assists in determining cause and manner of death.
• Assists with positive identification and writes detailed scene reports describing the scene for the medical examiner.
• Enters cause and manner of death and researches or locates next of kin.
• Coordinates information with the assigned funeral home after the body has been released by next of kin; assists family members with identification and release of bodies.
• Oversees the Office of the Medical Examiner's cremation program, when assigned.
• Requests medical records from physicians' offices and hospitals and contacts deceased persons' doctors to obtain medical history.
• Answers phones and general questions from family members, funeral homes, and others; responds to indigent cremation inquiries and investigates inquiries about cold cases and unidentified bodies.
• Contacts police in reportable deaths in accordance with Office of the Medical Examiner procedures and protocols.
• Develops physical descriptions of deceased persons by viewing the body and researches missing-person reports to compare descriptions and assist with identification.
• May assist with field crime laboratory work and assembly of material evidence.
• Follows evidence-handling procedures for items such as drugs, medicines, poison, x-rays of ballistic locations in cadavers, fingerprints, and weapons.
• Organizes deceased persons' case records, including medical and family history and reports about circumstances and evidence surrounding the death.
• Follows up on cases until final disposition.
• Prepares death certificates, body releases, and other narrative and technical reports or forms as required.
• Prepares case summaries and enters case data into the Office of the Medical Examiner database using computer applications.
• Receives notices of death by telephone, in person, or through written reports; interviews people to gather information about the terminal event, physical descriptions, and personal habits, and determines appropriate action.
• Applies established criteria to determine whether cases fall under Medical Examiner's Office jurisdiction and initiates action for applicable cases.
• Depending on assignment, acts as a lead worker, assists with training and work of other investigators, and conducts investigative interviews and research in office and field settings.
• Depending on assignment, oversees the Indigent Program for proper disposition of unclaimed and indigent bodies within Broward County.
• Depending on assignment, oversees death certificates submitted for cremation approval, reviewing and potentially investigating them each business day for approval by the Medical Examiner on duty.
• Depending on assignment, oversees Broward County cold cases and performs casework on unidentified persons under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office.
• Depending on assignment, assists with purchasing and oversees maintenance of investigative equipment, uniforms, and County vehicles.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• High-Deductible Health Plan with listed bi-weekly premiums and a County-funded Health Savings Account of up to $2,000 annually.
• Consumer Driven Health Plan with listed bi-weekly premiums.
• Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension or Investment Plan.
• 457 Deferred Compensation employee match.
• Eleven paid holidays each year.
• Two weeks of paid vacation per year.
• Up to 40 hours of Job Basis Leave for eligible positions.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 annually.
• Paid parental leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree