Job Specification
SENIOR INVESTIGATOR, COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE
DEFINITION
Under direction, takes the lead over other investigators and
conducts investigations of deaths reported to the County
Medical Examiner's Office by collecting information, medical
specimens, documentation, and other data relevant to the
manner of the decedent's demise upon which a determination
can be made by a medical examiner as to the cause and manner
of death; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for
illustrative purposes only. A particular position using
this title may not perform all duties listed in this job
specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job
may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Visits death scene and gathers essential facts concerning
the medical cause of death.
Interviews witnesses and prepares full descriptions of the
death scene and statements of witnesses.
Examines the decedent=s body at death scene and observes and
notes appearance which may be helpful in determining time,
cause, manner, or circumstances of death.
Gathers samples of relevant materials at death scene to be
used for toxicological examinations.
In the absence of a police officer and next of kin, takes
possession of all property of value found on the deceased,
making an exact inventory of same, and prepares lists and
labels of personal effects, evidence, and specimens, and
transports same back to the county morgue or medical
examiner=s office.
Takes possession of any objects or articles which may be
useful in establishing cause of death.
Transports the bodies by motor vehicle to the county medical
examiner=s office for examination.
Recommends release of bodies or the need for medical legal
autopsy on the basis of preliminary investigation.
Takes photographs of the body and death scene.
May make pronouncement of death of persons who die
unattended by a physician if legally qualified to do so.
Obtains records and reports from police departments and
other agencies needed by the medical examiner to fully
investigate the death.
Prepares body for autopsy and assists the medical examiner
in the necropsy.
Takes and preserves tissue samples.
Prepares standard solutions and performs routine tests on
body fluids.
Give advice and oral instructions to other investigators on
unusual problems, and checks to see that completed work
meets requirements, and that proper procedures and
precautions have been followed.
Takes the lead over and provides advice and instructions to
other investigators in performing the work involved in
investigating the cause of death.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of
electronic and/or manual recording and information systems
used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE:
Four (4) years of experience in investigating the
medical cause of human death.
NOTE: Successful completion of a minimum of 30 hours of
basic education in death investigation conducted or
sponsored by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the
American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the College of
American Pathologists, the National Association of Medical
Examiners, or at an institution of higher education of other
agency approved by the State Medical Examiner may be
substituted for one (1) year of required experience.
NOTE: Where duties of a particular position involve
making a determination and pronouncement of death,
appointees will be required to posses either a current,
valid registration as a Professional Nurse in the State of
New Jersey or a current, valid license to practice medicine
in the State of New Jersey.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's
license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a
vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to
perform essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medicine sufficient to
elicit pertinent medical history to help determine a medical
cause of death.
Knowledge of approved English usage sufficient to compose a
clear written report of observations made at the death scene
and in subsequent investigation.
Ability to give instructions to other workers, assist them
when difficult and unusual problems arise, and check their
work to see that proper procedures are followed, and that
desired objectives are achieved.
Ability to interview witnesses, medical professionals, and
bereaved families in the course of investigating a death,
and to use tact and courtesy in making investigations.
Ability to make accurate, pertinent observations of the
decedent=s appearance used in determining time, cause,
manner, and circumstances of death.
Ability to give court testimony as to observations made in
the course of a death investigation.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and information systems used by the
agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in
English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as
acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as
long as they can perform the essential functions of the job
after reasonable accommodation is made to their known
limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because
it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons
may not be eligible.
This job specification is applicable to the following title code: | | Job
Spec
Code | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 03392 | | L | C | | N/A | 18 | | - |
This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.
6/24/1997 |
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