Forensic Investigator I (#MBAB01)

Forensic Investigator II (#MBAB02)

Chief Forensic Investigator (#MBAB03)
$58,719.00 Yearly Min / $73,399.00 Yearly Mid / $88,079.00 Yearly Max

Forensic Investigator III (#UBAB04)
$58,340.00 Yearly Min / $64,822.00 Yearly Mid / $77,786.00 Yearly Max

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Description of Occupational Work

This class series uses four levels in the Public Safety occupational group, Investigative Services occupational series and describes medicolegal death investigating to assist in determining circumstances surrounding the death. Investigations include but are not limited to accidents, homicides, suicides, suspicious deaths, and industrial and aircraft disasters. Investigations include conducting interviews, photographing the scene and body, preserving evidence, and transporting the body.

Note: This career ladder series incorporates levels I and II. The I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels. Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with minimum qualifications and promotional standards. Promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, sets forth the criteria that defines and describes the requirements that must be met at each level. Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on an agency's/department's operational needs and distribution of work.

The Forensic Investigator III and Chief Forensic Investigator, although not part of the career ladder, provides competitive opportunity for movement of employees.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

Investigates circumstances of death at the scene by questioning police, witnesses, medical personnel, and others present; preserving evidence; photographing the scene and the body.

Determines compliance with medicolegal death investigation laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.

Conducts investigations to gather additional information, such as interviewing relatives of the deceased to ascertain medical history, recent health and other pertinent factors concerning the circumstances surrounding the death; contacts decedent’s physician, hospital personnel, dentists, law enforcement, attorneys, and others who may have pertinent information.

Prepares body for transport while preserving body evidence, transports the body to the office, tags and photographs the body in the autopsy room.

Coordinates with a tissue procurement agency, the forensic pathologist, and relatives of the deceased to facilitate anatomical gifts.

Prepares various investigative reports of findings to include statistical data, body condition, body receipts, personal effects receipts, and other forms associated with the disposition of the body.

Participates in mass fatality preparedness and drills.

Uses a Laboratory Information Management Database System to provide data for drug overdose deaths to the Department of Public Health, Federal DPA, and other agencies.

Assists in the conduct of autopsies by labeling specimen containers, opening and suturing the body, and cleaning the area and instruments; and taking x-rays of bodies.

Levels of Work

Forensic Investigator I

This is the entry level in the series.

Reports to a technical superior; receives close technical guidance in the methods, techniques, and procedures of medicolegal death investigations. Work is reviewed in progress.
Performs the full range of investigative work as described in the Essential Functions.
Contacts include law enforcement, medical personnel, witnesses, and family and friends of the decedent for the purpose of gaining information concerning the cause of death.

Forensic Investigator II

This is the full performance level in the series.

Reports to a technical supervisor. Work is performed independently and reviewed at completion.
Gathers facts and additional data necessary to establish the Medical Examiner’s jurisdiction which includes making independent decisions such as whether a death by statute must be reviewed by their office, if the case should be declined or if it is an inquiry.
Conducts critical reviews of cases, updates procedure manuals, and make recommendations on new or updated policies and procedures.
Provides guidance and field training to lower level investigators.

Forensic Investigator III

This is the advanced level in the series.

Reports to the Chief Forensic Investigator.
Conducts complex medicolegal death investigations, quality control, workflow, and training to staff.
Serves as a division subject matter expert.
Prepares budget and cost justifications regarding capital improvements and staffing.
Assists the Chief Forensic Investigator in the development of policies, procedures, and office operations to improved overall agency effectiveness.

Chief Forensic Investigator

This level is responsible for conducting medicolegal death investigations and supervising Forensic Investigators statewide.

Reports to an administrative supervisor.
Supervision is exercised over two or more merit full-time positions per the Merit Rules. The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, recommending hire/fire and discipline.
Manages all activities associated with planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating the work of Forensic Investigators statewide.
Plans and directs programs for development, and improvements in death investigation services.
Develops, recommends and implements long-term objectives including services offered and required supporting resources.
Develops, recommends and implements policies, procedures and office operations to improve overall agency effectiveness.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

Knowledge of investigative methods, techniques and procedures of medicolegal death investigations.
Knowledge of digital photography techniques and photographic equipment.
Knowledge of forensic, medical and legal terminology.
Knowledge of computers and software such as using a Laboratory Information Management Database System.
Knowledge of applicable division, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Knowledge of legal rights and rules of evidence.
Knowledge of civil, criminal or administrative proceedings.
Knowledge of operating a variety of forensic and investigative equipment such as stretchers, cameras, surgical instruments, x-ray machines, computers and related equipment.
Skill in the methods and techniques for preparing clear and concise reports and correspondence.
Skill in conducting interviews to elicit information of a sensitive and confidential nature.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to transport bodies without disturbing evidence.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Forensic Investigator II requires:

Knowledge of state jurisdictional laws, rules and regulations.
Skill in planning and conducting medicolegal death investigations.
Skill in interpreting, applying, explaining and determining compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
Skill in techniques relative to forensic photography and photographic equipment, and legal developments relating to digital and multimedia evidence.
Skill in preparing investigative reports.
Ability to make decisions and use sound judgement.

<In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Forensic Investigator III requires:

Knowledge of developing and implementing policies, procedures and office operations.
Skill in conducting complex medicolegal death investigations.
Ability to provide expert guidance and direction to divisional staff on medicolegal investigations and services.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Chief Forensic Investigator requires:

Skill in supervisory methods and techniques with respect to statewide operations.
Skill in developing and implementing policies, procedures and office operations.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Forensic Investigator III

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

Possession of an American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation (ABMDI) certificate.
Two years' experience in planning, developing, coordinating and implementing medicolegal death investigations.
Two years' experience in determining compliance with laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies or procedures.
Two years' experience in using forensic photographic techniques and photographic equipment such as cameras, flash, tripod and related equipment.
Two years' experience in narrative report writing.
Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).