INVESTIGATOR 2, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER

DEFINITION:

Under the limited supervision of an Investigator 3, Office of the Chief State 
Medical Examiner or other supervisory official in the Office of the Chief State 
Medical Examiner, Department of Health, or a County Medical Office in local 
government, conducts complex and sensitive investigations of deaths reported
to the Regional Medical Examiner Offices; may take the lead over lower-level
investigators; may provide guidance, instruction, and/or training to lower-level 
investigators; applies independent judgment to daily problems and complex 
situations; 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:

Performs and documents medicolegal death investigations in an accurate, 
comprehensive, and timely manner, in accordance with NJ statutes and 
regulations that govern the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner and 
applicable standard operating procedures. 

May provide guidance, instruction, and/or training to lower-level investigators.

May review the work done by lower-level investigators. 

Determines case types and jurisdiction response through scene investigation 
and/or interviews including but not limited to law enforcement, family members, 
friends, witnesses, and physicians.

Participates in joint investigations and/or surveillance with other departments, 
such as public health or other law enforcement agencies.

Obtains and/or secures records and biological specimens from outside 
agencies for a complete medical/social background needed for identification 
purposes and to determine the cause and manner of death.

Maintains the confidentiality of investigations.

Photographically documents the scene and secures property and/or evidence 
in the appropriate packaging; transports property/evidence back to the 
appropriate Regional Medical Examiner Office. 

Analyzes the information gathered through the use of cameras and other 
investigative equipment.

Follows universal precautions when handling human remains or in an
environment that requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Utilizes the Case Management System (CMS) to generate new cases; fills out 
all pertinent information (demographics, case information discovery, next of kin,
identifications, objections and organ and tissue procurement organizations, and
case notes); uploads all reports and medical records.

Assesses the time of death and postmortem changes of the human body.

Develops an organized, concise, and accurate death report in a timely manner.

Prepares written reports of all investigative activities containing objective facts, 
findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Creates and reviews correspondence relating to inquiries and prepares replies 
based on review of documents relevant to investigatory matters and research 
of applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Assists in the preparation of legal documents for review and further processing.

Acts as witness and testifies for the State before grand juries, courts of law, 
administrative hearings, or other judicial bodies as required.

Maintains records and files relevant to investigative matters in the administration 
of duties and assignments.

Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual 
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in 
Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, or Nursing; or graduation from an accredited 
college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical or Natural Science with 
twelve (12) semester hour credits in physical or biological science, six (6) semester 
hour credits in human anatomy, and twelve (12) semester hour credits in chemistry.  

NOTE:  Possession of a valid registry basic certification issued by the American 
Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) may be substituted for the 
Bachelor’s degree.

EXPERIENCE:
 
Two (2) years of office and/or field experience conducting investigations, collecting 
evidence, and preparing investigative reports, including a minimum of one (1) year 
of full-time experience as a Medicolegal Death Investigator (MLDI).

NOTE:  A Master's degree in Criminal Justice and/or Forensic Science may be 
substituted for one (1) year of experience.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

NOTE:  Appointees must possess a valid registry basic certification from the 
American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI).

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.

NOTE:  To progress to the title of Investigator 3, OCSME, employees will be 
required to have three (3) years of full-time experience as a Medicolegal Death 
Investigator (MLDI). 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of medical terminology, human anatomy, and physiology.

Knowledge of the legal terminology used in investigative work.

Knowledge of the State of NJ statutes and regulations that govern the Office 
of the Chief State Medical Examiner and standard operating procedures.

Knowledge of the medicolegal death investigation policies, procedures, and 
statutes which encompass investigation procedures, case reporting, and 
computer data entry.

Knowledge of death scene investigations, including forensic photography.

Knowledge of the procedures for collecting evidence and property.

Knowledge of the biological, chemical, and physical hazards related to forensic 
investigation.

Knowledge of the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Knowledge of the methods used to research and obtain background data.

Knowledge of legal documents such as subpoenas, affidavits and search 
warrants, and the procedures for requesting, obtaining, and executing them.

Knowledge of interviewing techniques. 

Knowledge of the Case Management System (CMS).

Ability to provide guidance, instruction, and/or training to lower-level 
investigators.

Ability to conduct or participate as a member of a team in assigned office 
and/or field investigative duties.

Ability to recognize chemical, biological, and physical hazards when 
gathering information about a death scene and take proper precautions.

Ability to operate a camera with appropriate settings to achieve the highest 
quality photos as possible.

Ability to identify traumatic vs. non-traumatic injuries, types of bodily fluids, 
and decomposition changes to the body.

Ability to assess time of death and postmortem changes of the human body.

Ability to interview witnesses and take proper statements from them to introduce 
into evidence.

Ability to gather and preserve evidence.

Ability to provide testimony under oath in administrative hearings, State and 
federal courts, or other judicial bodies.

Ability to testify to the accuracy, time, place, and direction of photographs to 
lay a foundation for their introduction as evidence.

Ability to obtain and review reports of police and other law enforcement 
agencies.

Ability to prepare death reports and reports of investigative activities.

Ability to prepare correspondence.

Ability to maintain essential records and files.

Ability to learn how 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, and 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 if they can perform 
the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.  
If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer 
undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.