Medicolegal Death Investigator I

State of North Carolina•4312 Districe Drive Wake, NC

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medicolegal Death Investigator I position supports the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner by conducting medicolegal death investigations and facilitating communication with law enforcement, medical facilities, funeral homes, and families. The role performs death scene investigations, collects evidence from decedents, and gathers reports to support determinations of cause and manner of death. Duties include assisting with postmortem examinations, participating in decedent identification through radiography, fingerprinting, and DNA collection, and ensuring accurate documentation and chain of custody. The Medicolegal Death Investigator I position receives and evaluates incoming death reports, determines jurisdiction, and coordinates body transport and case data entry. The employee may also support training activities and assist in emergency or mass fatality responses.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science (biology, chemistry, nursing, anthropology, forensic sciences, biochemistry, or related sciences field), or criminal justice from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of medicolegal death investigation experience or specialized (e.g., unidentified decedent, etc.) experience OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Proven experience conducting death scene investigations with thorough documentation, evidence collection, and accurate maintenance of chain‑of‑custody records.
Demonstrated intermediate proficiency performing postmortem fingerprinting, radiographic imaging, and skeletal surveys for identification, including submission of biometric data to state and federal databases.
Documented experience managing case information in electronic case‑management systems, ensuring data integrity, timely entry of investigative details, and compliance with reporting requirements in a high‑volume environment.
Intermediate‑level skill using Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel, to prepare detailed investigative reports, track case metrics, and support inter‑agency communication and training materials.
Established experience providing forensic training or mentorship to interns, students, or professionals, including instruction on medicolegal jurisdiction, identification techniques, and scene documentation processes.

Responsibilities

Conducting independent medicolegal death scene investigations and documenting findings to support cause and manner of death determinations.
Collecting, preserving, and submitting evidence—including radiographs, fingerprints, and DNA samples—while maintaining a legally defensible chain of custody.
Assisting with postmortem examinations by photographing remains, collecting toxicology specimens, and documenting injuries and personal effects.
Receiving and evaluating incoming death reports, determining jurisdictional authority, and entering case data into the North Carolina medical examiner system.
Coordinating with law enforcement, hospitals, funeral homes, and other agencies to obtain case information and ensure proper evidence handling.
Performing forensic identification activities including radiographic imaging, fingerprinting, and skeletal analysis, and forwarding biometric data to appropriate databases.
Managing evidence intake and release to ensure accurate documentation and compliance with investigative and legal standards.
Supporting training programs related to medicolegal death investigation and forensic identification, including assisting interns and professional trainees.
Conducting research on unresolved or cold cases and applying updated forensic techniques in collaboration with partner agencies.
Participating in emergency and mass fatality response efforts by assisting with scene coordination, communication, and identification activities.