Salary/Position Classification

• $75,000-$85,000 Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability: No

Purpose of Position

The primary purpose of this position is to provide death investigation for the department of Pathology with an ABMDI investigator, required for NAME accreditation of the UND facility. The individual assists with regional death investigations under the supervision of forensic pathologists.  

Duties & Responsibilities

Perform death investigations to standards of ABDMI and NAME.

• Travel to the scene of homicides, suicides, accidental, questionable and/or unattended deaths to perform initial on-scene examination of remains; takes digital images; records scene observations (written summary and diagram); interviews witnesses.
• Interact with individuals from the medical community to obtain confidential medical history and records of the decedent.
• Interact with law enforcement officials in the appropriate exchange of investigative information related to death investigations.
• Assist and arranges removal of human remains from death scenes, hospitals, and other care facilities and transports remains to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Identify and locate next of kin or legal representative of the deceased to make death notifications; removes personal items from body, catalogues and secures personal items for later release to family or appropriate representative of deceased.
• Perform thorough investigations and prepares clear, concise, and comprehensive investigative reports that document the circumstances and historical information relative to the death; follows up on unanswered questions.
• Answer telephones within the Medical Examiner’s Office responding to questions from the public, medical professionals, law enforcement and families.
• Follow up on information needed for finalization of investigative reports.
• Impartially facilitate disposition of remains through consultation with families, funeral homes and others.
• Required to be available on a 24-hour rotating and scheduled-basis, call responsive within 15 minutes and arrive at death scene without delay. Night, weekend and holiday work is expected.
• Must be able to drive safely at night and in inclement weather.
• Must be able to see, hear, read, interpret information and draw logical conclusions. Manual dexterity is required for operation of equipment and scene investigation.  

Responsible for the oversight of laboratory and mortuary facilities, equipment and supplies; evaluation and development of autopsy procedures and protocols.

• Receive bodies of deceased persons, ensuring appropriate confidentiality.
• Take photographs and x-rays of cadavers or carcasses. Maintains related records and entry into files and computerized systems.
• Oversee and participate in the cleaning and maintenance of laboratory equipment, facilities, and related materials; ensure the maintenance and stocking of supplies inventories and laboratory chemicals.
• Perform data entry on computer as appropriate; prepares applicable reports.
• Release bodies and valuables to authorized persons.
• Train and supervises the work of others, including technicians and resident physicians, in the day-to-day performance of autopsies and related activities.
• Evaluates, develop and implements technical protocol and procedures for morphology services, as appropriate.
• Practices safety, environmental, and/or infection control methods.
• Serve as primary point of contact between family members/representatives and the coroner’s office to provide timely and accurate case status information.
• 1Collaborate with medical examiners, death investigators and forensic technicians to provide timely and accurate case status information to family members/representative.
• Provide crisis intervention and implement de-escalation tools with care, compassion and understanding, without judgment.
• Provide clients with information and guidance on available resources and support programs; conduct follow-up calls to ensure services are provided.
• Create, vet, and send out family letters.
• Must be able to see, smell, hear and interpret information. Manual dexterity and physical strength is required for operation of equipment and transport of bodies. 

Coordinate and teach medical legal death investigation.

• Assists with development of NAME, ABMDI and NIJ standards-based curriculum in medicolegal death investigation.
• Assist with planning for in person conferences on medical legal death investigation.
• Assist with recruitment of speakers and educators in medical legal death investigation.
• Assist with paperwork and records required for various continuing education requirements of educational offerings.  

Assist with NAME and other accreditation.

• Assist with policies, procedures and protocols for maintaining NAME accreditation.
• Coordinate necessary maintenance, repair and preventative initiatives for office operations and accreditation.
• Assist with quality control and quality management initiatives for office accreditation and operational improvements.
• Assist with data collection and evaluation regarding office operations and improvement.  

Required Competencies

• Requires use/operation of computer software and lab equipment. Familiarity with standard office software, including word processing, spreadsheets and databases is required.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Organizational/prioritization skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Detail oriented
• Ability to empathize
• Excellent visual observation skills
• Mastery of the English language
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and respect for decedents, crime and death scenes.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain respect and dignity of human remains, sensitivity toward families and bereaved.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, nursing or human-service related field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience in medical work, criminal justice or related fields will be considered
• Must be ABDMI boarded within one year of employment
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience in death investigation
• ABDMI certification
• One or more years of supervisory experience
• Prefer previous experience in administration, social work or death
  investigation.

To Apply

Submit online application and include a cover letter and resume/CV