Medicolegal Death Investigator

Pima County•Tucson, AZ

11d•$25 - $35

About The Position

The Medicolegal Death Investigator investigates circumstances surrounding unattended or unnatural deaths, assists Forensic Pathologists, law enforcement personnel, Medicolegal Death Investigation Supervisors, other Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner staff, and funeral homes in the disposition of cases. This classification is distinguished from the Criminal Investigator and law enforcement classifications which conduct legal investigations of criminal, civil and/or juvenile matters and assist attorneys in the preparation of cases for trial.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice/law enforcement, pathology, forensics, social work, public health, biology, microbiology, chemistry, anthropology, physician’s assistant, nursing, pre-med, mortuary science or a closely related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)
OR: One year of experience as a Forensic Technician I, Forensic Autopsy Technician Law Enforcement Officer, EMT, Investigator or related position as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment.
Valid driver license is at time of application.
Valid AZ driver license is at time of appointment.

Responsibilities

Conducts death scene investigations including evidence collection, preservation, scene photography, and related pathological studies
Determines legal jurisdiction, investigates circumstances of death, medical history, and identifies next-of-kin
Coordinates findings with law enforcement, courts, and other agencies, and may testify in legal proceedings
Assists Forensic Pathologists during postmortem examinations, taking notes, photographs, and handling specimens
Maintains chain-of-custody and secures evidentiary materials for court presentation or law enforcement release
Locates and interviews witnesses, medical personnel, and relatives of deceased individuals
Conducts body and clothing inspections, documents personal property, and secures property for release to proper parties
Confirms identity of deceased using fingerprints and other methods, and prepares remains for viewing or formal identification
Prepares identification bands, paperwork, and logs information into the Medical Examiner’s database
Coordinates release of remains to funeral homes, public fiduciary offices, and consular authorities when applicable
Acts as liaison for organ and tissue donations with medical institutions and decedent’s next-of-kin
Reviews death certificates and toxicology or anthropological reports for accuracy and authorized release
Removes deceased from scenes and transports remains, medical specimens, and hazardous materials as needed
Performs servicing and maintenance of assigned vehicles and forensic equipment
Maintains written investigative reports, evidence records, and duty logs, and may oversee activities of other investigators.