Coroner Technician

Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assist in gathering and protecting physical, scientific, and pathological evidence (e.g., clothing, weapons, drugs, and bodily fluids) from the scene of death; photograph scenes of death and autopsy procedures.
• Assist Forensic Pathologists in performing autopsies; set up equipment, instruments and solutions; open and close bodies, obtain blood and other fluid samples, excise and weigh organs and record figures; accurately label and store specimens; prepare tissue specimens; and prepare all specimens for transportation to toxicology and histopathology laboratories.
• Maintain vehicles, facilities and all instruments/equipment in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.
• Photograph deceased persons at the scene of death and autopsy using digital cameras.
• Receive, log, and process bodies including weighing, undressing, fingerprinting, and x-raying as they arrive at a Coroner facility.
• Inventory personal property of the deceased; receive reports of death within established guidelines, and determine whether a case falls within the Coroner's jurisdiction.
• Dispatch Deputy Coroners and Coroner Technicians, and maintain radio and telephone contact with them while they are in the field; receive telephone inquiries and documents any information received over the telephone from families, law enforcement, mortuary staff, doctors, lawyers, and medical and legal personnel.
• Release deceased persons to mortuary or authorized persons upon completion of the Coroner's investigation.
• Prepare and maintain routine investigative files, facility forms, and statistical and daily activity reports.
• Under direction, may tactfully provide information to next of kin.
• May serve as a witness in criminal or civil courts on Coroner's cases.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Education:

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED).

Experience:

• None required.

Knowledge of:

• Computers and other office equipment; digital cameras; inventory principles and fingerprinting techniques; basic rules of evidence; basic anatomy; medical terminology; fingerprinting, photography, and x-raying.

Ability to:

• Learn procedures for gathering information; understand basic rules of evidence; understand basic anatomy and medical terminology; fingerprint photograph, and x-ray; learn the techniques, procedures, equipment, and instruments used in assisting with autopsies; read and interpret government and health and safety codes; deal effectively with distraught persons; prepare clear and concise reports and forms; read a Thomas Brothers map; follow written and oral directions.

Other Requirements

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
• The Coroner's Bureau operates 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. As such, incumbents are expected to work flexible work schedules including rotating shifts, weekends, being on 24-hour on-call status, and may often be required to work overtime.

Physical Conditions:

• Incumbents must be able to assist with heavy lifting and carrying of deceased persons in difficult types of terrain and weather conditions; independent body mobility to stand for long periods and/or walk on uneven ground or wet surfaces; upper body strength to reach and move objects from high shelves, and lift and carry materials weighing up to 70 lbs.; corrected vision to read standard text, labels and computer display screens; have the physical capability to wear personal protective equipment including whole-body anti-contamination suits, face visors, respiratory masks, and rubber gloves for long periods.

Environmental Conditions:

• Incumbents will be required to wear personal protective equipment in accordance with applicable occupational safety and health regulations when potentially exposed to blood borne pathogens, airborne pathogens and some harmful chemicals; be required to work in an office, morgue, and all types of field environments; be exposed to inclement weather conditions; work with hazardous materials/substances including sharp implements and tools, odors, tissues, and fluids from autopsy operations.

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