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 | Variant | State,
Local or
Common | Class of
Service | Work
Week | State
Class
Code | Local
Class
Code | Salary
Range | Note | | 56805C | Office Of Chief State Medical Examiner | C | C | 40 | 19 | 23 | I20 | - |
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 |
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