JOB Under close to general supervision, conducts investigations to determine the circumstances, cause and manner of death and determines the identity of decedents coming under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Coroner. Deputies may order, attend and assist in the conducting of autopsies by a pathologist and any other duties as required by the Coroner.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
(Essential function, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)
- Meet all of the essential duties and responsibilities of subordinate medicolegal death investigator and will be part of the normal on call rotation
- Receives calls from law enforcement agencies, doctors and others that may have potential Coroner cases; determines if the cases are within the legal jurisdiction of the Office of the Coroner for investigation
- Performs investigations to determine the circumstances, cause and manner of death and establishes and confirms the identity of the deceased
- Interviews witnesses involved; inspects medical and other pertinent records for sources as to circumstances, manner and cause of death
- Conducts a medicolegal examination of remains at a death scene; takes photographs and fingerprints of decedents
- Utilizes proper and safe methods for drawing bodily fluids from decedents for examination and toxicology testing
- As required, orders, attends and assists in the conduct of autopsies and requests services of toxicologists, criminal investigators and other specialists to aid in arriving at the cause of death or identity of the decedent
- Provides proper and timely notification of death to family members or next of kin
- Takes possession of personal property found with a decedent; may evaluate wills or other legal documents (while consulting the county attorney) in attempting to determine next of kin.
- Prepares death investigation reports for review by the Coroner
- Provides information to law enforcement agencies, relatives and funeral director personnel as appropriate
- Testify in court or inquest as a witness regarding findings in a Coroner's investigation, as required
- Follow up on all pending cases with pathologists.
- Process unclaimed bodies according to department procedures and state law.
- Have a good rapport and communicate effectively with departments, physicians, emergency services, law enforcement, funeral homes and others.
- Accurately provide for release of coroner's information as allowed by law.
- Performs other Coroner's Office related duties as required.
