What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forensic Investigator position at County of Delaware?
The Forensic Investigator is an entry-level position within the Office of the Medical Examiner. This position works in a 24-hour environment with rotating shifts that may include weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Under the immediate supervision of the Chief of Forensic Investigations, the Forensic Investigator receives training and assists with investigative work related to deaths that fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner’s Office. This includes deaths resulting from homicide, suicide, accident, death in police custody, sudden unexplained infant death, and other deaths considered suspicious in nature.
Incumbents are expected to develop the knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary to eventually perform forensic investigative duties independently.
- Determine if deaths fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
- Conduct telephone and scene investigations, interview witnesses, and obtain information from first responders such as police, fire, and healthcare workers
- Knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology
- Use digital photography to document death scenes and trauma to the body
- Use medical terminology to write investigative reports and scene narratives
- Use a computer to input data into a Case Management System
- Responsible for locating and notifying next of kin, which includes direct interaction with distraught families
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time, lift and move bodies approximately 100 pounds or more, and be exposed to unpleasant smells, hazardous chemicals, biological fluids, and extreme weather conditions when conducting scene investigations
- Must be able to work any shift as necessary in a 24-hour period, including weekends and holidays. Initially, work hours will include 12 hours, but as staffing increases will be reduced to 8-hour shifts
- Must submit to a drug test upon hire and random drug testing throughout your employment
- High School Diploma
- Ability to pass a security background check
- Associate’s degree or higher with major coursework in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Anthropology, Nursing, Mortuary Science, Crime Scene Investigation or Medical Terminology
- At least 1 year of work experience or practical internship experience in investigating deaths that fell under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner or Coroner’s Office
- Work experience can be substituted for education requirements on a year-by-year basis
- Certification from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigations (ABMDI)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher with major coursework in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Anthropology, Nursing, Mortuary Science, Crime Scene Investigation or Medical Terminology
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, bend at the waist, speak, and hear. The employee may occasionally be required to reach or work with arms above shoulder level; kneel, stoop, crouch, squat, crawl, climb stairs, and twist or rotate at the waist while performing assigned duties.
The position requires the ability to assist with turning, lifting, moving, or carrying deceased individuals, with assistance as needed based on weight and circumstances. The employee must be able to lift up to 100 pounds. On rare occasions, the employee may be exposed to unusually high noise levels.
Certifications:
Must be able to obtain ABMDI registry-level certification within two years of hire. If already ABMDI certified must maintain certification throughout the entire employment