FORENSIC MORGUE TECHNICIAN
Because Forensic Morgue Technician is non-competitive, hiring leans on your background rather than a test score: meet the requirements and apply to the agency directly.
It asks for a valid NJ driver's license. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $48,807 to $70,641, and state payroll currently lists 8 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
How to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Forensic Morgue Technician appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Health.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Health | 8 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 8 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $53,485. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (8)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the close supervision of Forensic Morgue Supervisor or other supervisory official in the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, Department of Health, or Regional Medical Examiner Office or a County Medical Office in local government, does the routine work of receiving and preparing dead bodies and anatomical material for post mortem examination; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Assists a pathologist in post-mortem examination or autopsy to determine the cause of death.
- Assists in the preparation and unclothing of body for autopsy or post-mortem examination and maintain and safeguard clothing in an adequate, evidentiary status.
- Prepares, labels, or packages clothing, personal effects or other articles, or items received with, in or on the body.
- Receives, stores, and disposes of non-human remains or specimen thereof, after completion of post-mortem examination, autopsy, or testing procedures.
- Manages the handling, routing and disposition of all cadavers in the morgue; cleaning of the morgue and morgue refrigerators, and presentation and release of identified or registered bodies to undertakers.
- Responsible for the safety and sanitation of cadavers and morgue facilities; guides new technicians in safety rules and sanitation procedures.
- Attends to the fixation or refrigeration, or special handling of submitted specimens and tissues removed at autopsies, including specimens for post mortem toxicology analysis and prepares solutions for the preservation of specimens and tissues.
- Prepares and maintains a permanent inventory of reagents and supplies utilized in the morgue; request replenishment as indicated on inventory file.
- Prepares reports on cases received and disposed, as required for operating analysis and work distribution.
- Maintains essential records and files of materials processed, specimens and bodies received and their disposition.
- Assists physicians with forensic post-mortem examinations and evisceration in accordance with instructions delegated by standard autopsy procedures.
- Provides Forensic Photography support in the Autopsy Suite as required.
- Follows all morgue and safety standard operation procedures in the handling of decedent remains and samples taken for testing, ensuring that chains of custody are not breached.
- Transport specimens to local hospitals for testing.
- Supports Body Removal and Transport services as required.
- Provides support to the Body Release Office as required.
- 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.
License
Appointee must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of basic human anatomy.
- Knowledge of packaging and labeling of various article used in the forensic laboratory and morgue.
- Knowledge of various basic sample taking techniques for laboratory processing.
- Knowledge of various methods on how to keep the laboratory clean and sanitized.
- Ability to interpret and apply statutes, rules, and regulations concerning the transportation, receipt, management and release of dead human bodies.
- Ability to comprehend the legal/medical language of instruction and communication.
- Ability to comprehend and apply the principles and practice of evidence custody and handling.
- Ability to follow instructions.
- Ability to guide personnel engaged in morgue operations, sanitation, and maintenance.
- Ability to prepare solutions as required for the preservation of anatomical specimens.
- 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 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.
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.
PHYSICAL
Must be able to lift and manipulate human remains as needed to remove from the place of death and for the completion of postmortem examinations. Must be able to withstand prolonged hours of standing.