Job Description

Posting number: RC-0805342

Department: Medical Examiner's Office

Job classification: Medicolegal Investigator

Posting type: Open

Categories: Medical Examiner

Summary

Investigates and reports on the cause and manner of deaths; determines if a case falls under the Rock County Medical Examiner Department's jurisdiction; and performs related work as required.

60% - Investigate death scenes to determine cause and manner of death in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes.

• Examines evidence at the scene to establish an initial assessment of the cause and manner of death as natural, suicidal, accidental, homicidal or undetermined.
• Assists in the identification of the decedent by examining the body and the scene of the death.
• Collects and preserves physical evidence in accordance with the established chain of custody procedures.
• Notifies the next of kin personally or in conjunction with law enforcement, judicial agencies or chaplain service.
• Manages the removal of the body from the scene of death and the transport to the morgue.

35% - Obtains personal data and medical history on cases from hospital personnel, health care personnel, interviews with family, neighbors, friends and others, autopsies, etc. and issues appropriate documentation.

• Testifies in civil and criminal court cases on the results of investigations and other expert information.
• Prepares and issues death certificates, disinterment permits, subpoenas, and other legally binding documents for embalming and cremation.
• Assists at autopsies and subsequent cleaning, stocking and preparation of the morgue.
• Assists at autopsy with photographic duties, collection and documentation of evidence recovered at postmortem examination.

5% - Performs other duties as required.

Examples of duties

Considerable knowledge of Chapter 979 of the Wisconsin State Statutes concerning the investigation of death.

Considerable knowledge of causes and manners of death and their manifestations with regard to the body, scene and history.

Considerable knowledge of investigative techniques, principles, and practices used in the research of cause and manner of death.

Considerable knowledge of the morphological aspects of the causes of death with special attention to necropsy.

Working knowledge of medical terminology and medicine as it pertains to death and varying forms of trauma.

Ability to communicate with survivors of the decedent.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other public agencies and the general public.

Ability to interpret a death scene, identify items of evidence and assess the condition of the body.

Ability to take proper photographs of scene, body and evidence for documentation.

Ability to physically remove a body from the scene of death and supervise the transport of the body to the morgue insuring the preservation of any trace evidence.

Ability to secure facts through investigation and inspections and to analyze and interpret these facts effectively.

Ability to prepare and present accurate, objective, and thorough reports.

Ability to work varies hours as needed in order to provide services to this 24/7 operation.

Qualifications

Any combination of training or experience equivalent to an associate degree in criminal justice, emergency medical services, fire protection, or related field and/or two years experience either performing criminal or civil investigations including the writing of investigative reports.

Possession of a valid Wisconsin driver's license.

Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays.

Ability to respond to a death scene when on call in less than 60 minutes. (This may be at night and on weekends and holidays.)

Supplemental information

Physical elements:

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, stoop for extended periods of time.
• Ability to maneuver in the field at a death scene, which might involve walking distances on uneven ground, moving through snow covered ground, climbing stairs, getting into small awkward spaces, etc.
• Able to turn, move, position, and examine a dead body at a death scene.
• Able to lift a dead body with assistance (up to 80 lbs.).
• Able to place a dead body on a stretcher.

Equipment use:

• Cell phone
• Computer - enter data into data base
• Digital camera
• GPS equipment

Working conditions:

• Ability to work in extreme conditions, hot and cold.
• Able to work inside and outside.
• Exposure to blood and/or body fluids is highly likely.
• Able to work with people who have suffered a tragedy in their lives.