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Job Specification

INVESTIGATOR 1, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER

DEFINITION:

Under the close 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 routine investigations of deaths 
reported to the Regional Medical Examiner Offices; work is closely-monitored 
and regular feedback is received; 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 routine medicolegal death investigations in an 
accurate, comprehensive, and timely manner, in accordance with New Jersey
statutes and regulations that govern the Office of the Chief State Medical 
Examiner and applicable standard operating procedures. 

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.

Assists in obtaining and/or securing 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.

Assists in assessing 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, and assessments.

Creates and reviews correspondence relating to inquiries and prepares
drafts of replies consistent with applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders, 
and relevant documentation for review and approval.

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

Acts as a 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:

One (1) year of office and/or field experience conducting investigations, 
collecting evidence, and preparing investigative reports. 

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 will be required to possess a valid registry basic certification 
from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) within 
two (2) years of appointment.

NOTE:  Per N.J.S.A. 26:6B-10, a medicolegal death investigator who engages
in the investigation of deaths pursuant to this subsection shall obtain certification 
from the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators within three years 
after the effective date of this act, or within three years after the person first 
takes action under this paragraph, whichever is later.

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 2, OCSME, employees will be 
required to possess a valid registry basic certification from the American Board 
of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) and have one (1) year 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 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 maintain essential records and files.

Ability to prepare correspondence.

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.

This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
VariantState,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
56805COffice Of Chief State Medical ExaminerCC401923I20-

This job specification is for state and local government use.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

7/18/2020