Medical Examiner Death Investigator

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform one or more of the activities described below.

• Receives and investigates initial reports of death from law enforcement personnel, health care providers, funeral homes and other agencies and determines whether a death falls under the Medical Examiner's statutory jurisdiction.
• Responds to and investigates deaths at scenes with challenging accessibility. 
• Reads and extracts information from police reports, paramedic reports, medical records and other related documents to develop a fact-basis upon which Medical Examiners can base opinions concerning cause and manner of death.
• Explains state statutes requiring involving medical examiner involvement and jurisdiction to next-of-kin.
• Conducts investigations at the scene of death by collecting trace evidence in cooperation with law enforcement; examining the body for wounds, rigor mortis and lividity; interviewing witnesses and next-of-kin; collecting medications; taking photographs; and providing an organized oral briefing and written summary.
• Prepares and provides cogent investigative reports summarizing medical and social history, terminal circumstances, next-of-kin data and results of inquiries to provide a clear and understandable summary of the investigation.
• Performs field and administrative investigative duties to arrange final disposition of unclaimed bodies as required by statute.
• Prepares death certificates to comply with statutes requiring medical certifications of cause and manner of death.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

To be acquired during the training period:

• Knowledge of modern principles, practices, instruments and methods used in the collection and preservation of death scene and post-mortem evidence and the establishment of chain of custody.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, toxicology, ballistics and the interpretation of medical records related to determining cause of death.
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures related to receiving, identifying, storing and releasing bodies.
• Knowledge of statutes and departmental guidelines related to jurisdiction of Medical Examiner.
• Knowledge of state and federal statutes related to medicolegal death investigations.
• Knowledge of statutory requirements for the preparation and issuance of death certificates.
• Skill in the use of photographic equipment.
• Ability to respond to and investigate deaths at scenes with challenging accessibility. 
• Ability to collect, organize and analyze data and make logical conclusions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and to use a computer and related software.
• Ability to deal tactfully with people concerning sensitive information.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• May require some pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping.
• Requires standing for long periods of time.
• Must be able to handle strong sights and smells.

Work Category

• Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED certificate; AND
• Six months of experience investigating crimes, accidents, or deaths; AND
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License; AND
• Employee must obtain American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Certificate within 2 years of employment. Failure to achieve AMBDI certification will result in termination.