Medico-Legal Death Investigator

Duties

Essential Job Functions

• Gather confidential information, maintain records, and prepare reports in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship between several different agencies such as Law Enforcement, hospital staff, Federal and State agents, other staff members, and the public.
• Collects toxicological specimens and submits them for analysis.
• Assist with the processing of death certificates, property, and body handling records.
• Catalogs evidentiary materials. Ensures evidence is obtained and stored properly while following appropriate chain of custody.
• Ensures quality of all forensic photography.
• May include crawling into tight spaces such as under houses, attics, vehicles, and in water. This may include up and down stairs and rough outdoor terrain.
• Will conduct decedent removal such as: rolling, carrying and transporting to funeral homes/morgue facilities.
• Incumbent must pass a background investigation, drug screen, fingerprint clearance and CVSA polygraph. Periodic background and drug screens may be conducted after employment.

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

Requirements

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and techniques of investigative work.
• Knowledge of basic laws of evidence (Arizona Revised Statutes) and relevant laws pertaining to death investigations.
• Skills in gathering, analyzing, and evaluating facts and evidence of a death scene.
• Skills in acting quickly and calmly with proper judgement in emergency situations.
• Skilled in effective communication verbally and in writing.
• Incumbents must be prepared to work in environments involving deceased individuals and handle cases that may include decomposed remains.
• Incumbents may traverse; climb and hike rough terrain (land and water) in extreme weather (including heat and cold) to reach the scene of deceased person(s) and work irregular shifts, including 24-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to work independently and follow directions. Works with families of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in a respectful and compassionate manner.
• Incumbent will be exposed to graphic scenes that can be classified as a crime, suicide, vehicle accidents, etc., which can be very graphic and violent in nature. Incumbent must be able to keep composure and professionalism to complete your job requirements.
• Incumbent may be at risk of exposure to disease, hazardous materials, chemicals and/or biological agents.

Desirable Qualifications

• Bachelors or Associates degree in a related field; OR an equivalent combination of training/education and /or experience; AND able to lift a minimum of 150 lbs alone and up to 500 lbs with assistance; AND pass a background check, criminal history checks and CVSA polygraph; AND possess a valid Arizona Driver License.
• American Board of Medico-Legal Death Investigators (ABMDI) certificate is preferred, otherwise must be obtained within 18 months if budget allows.

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