SENIOR INVESTIGATOR, COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE

Code: 03392 Local Competitive

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 direction, takes the lead over other investigators and conducts investigations of deaths reported to the County Medical Examiner's Office by collecting information, medical specimens, documentation, and other data relevant to the manner of the decedent's demise upon which a determination can be made by a medical examiner as to the cause and manner of death; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Visits death scene and gathers essential facts concerning the medical cause of death.
• Interviews witnesses and prepares full descriptions of the death scene and statements of witnesses.
• Examines the decedent's body at death scene and observes and notes appearance which may be helpful in determining time, cause, manner, or circumstances of death.
• Gathers samples of relevant materials at death scene to be used for toxicological examinations.
• In the absence of a police officer and next of kin, takes possession of all property of value found on the deceased, making an exact inventory of same, and prepares lists and labels of personal effects, evidence, and specimens, and transports same back to the county morgue or medical examiner's office.
• Takes possession of any objects or articles which may be useful in establishing cause of death.
• Transports the bodies by motor vehicle to the county medical examiner's office for examination.
• Recommends release of bodies or the need for medical legal autopsy on the basis of preliminary investigation.
• Takes photographs of the body and death scene.
• May make pronouncement of death of persons who die unattended by a physician if legally qualified to do so.
• Obtains records and reports from police departments and other agencies needed by the medical examiner to fully investigate the death.
• Prepares body for autopsy and assists the medical examiner in the necropsy.
• Takes and preserves tissue samples.
• Prepares standard solutions and performs routine tests on body fluids.
• Give advice and oral instructions to other investigators on unusual problems, and checks to see that completed work meets requirements, and that proper procedures and precautions have been followed.
• Takes the lead over and provides advice and instructions to other investigators in performing the work involved in investigating the cause of death.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Four (4) years of experience in investigating the medical cause of human death.

License

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.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medicine sufficient to elicit pertinent medical history to help determine a medical cause of death.
• Knowledge of approved English usage sufficient to compose a clear written report of observations made at the death scene and in subsequent investigation.
• Ability to give instructions to other workers, assist them when difficult and unusual problems arise, and check their work to see that proper procedures are followed, and that desired objectives are achieved.
• Ability to interview witnesses, medical professionals, and bereaved families in the course of investigating a death, and to use tact and courtesy in making investigations.
• Ability to make accurate, pertinent observations of the decedent's appearance used in determining time, cause, manner, and circumstances of death.
• Ability to give court testimony as to observations made in the course of a death investigation.
• Ability to learn 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, or 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 as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. 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.

Successful completion of a minimum of 30 hours of basic education in death investigation conducted or sponsored by the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the College of American Pathologists, the National Association of Medical Examiners, or at an institution of higher education of other agency approved by the State Medical Examiner may be substituted for one (1) year of required experience.

Where duties of a particular position involve making a determination and pronouncement of death, appointees will be required to posses either a current, valid registration as a Professional Nurse in the State of New Jersey or a current, valid license to practice medicine in the State of New Jersey.