Company Overview
NAAG Forensic is an independent agency dedicated to delivering high-quality forensic pathology services to the criminal justice community. Our expertise supports California’s Sheriff-Coroner sector by providing autopsy support and offering consultation to prosecutors, defense attorneys, and child protection professionals.
Job Overview
Division - Sheriff-Coroner Autopsy Service
Unit - Digital Forensic Evidence Unit
Position Summary
The Manager – Digital Forensic Evidence serves as the operational leader of NAAG’s Digital Forensic Evidence Unit and as the official Custodian of Records for the Sheriff-Coroner Autopsy Service.
This San Diego-based position is responsible for the governance, organization, integrity, preservation, and legally compliant release of all digital forensic evidence generated by NAAG. This includes forensic photography, postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) imaging datasets, whole-slide imaging (WSI) and virtual histology assets, autopsy reports, supporting case documentation, and associated digital records.
The position oversees the secure management of digital forensic evidence across the Joint Pathology / Administration Center (JPAC), Regional Pathology Center (RPC), and Community Pathology Centers (CPCs).
The Manager supervises Digital Evidence Technicians and is responsible for developing and maintaining the systems, workflows, and policies required to support forensic imaging, virtual histology, records management, legal discovery, and evidence preservation.
The position serves as the central authority for digital forensic evidence governance within NAAG.
Reporting Structure
Reports To:
Director of Laboratory Operations
Functional Authority Delegated By:
Medical Director & Chief Forensic Pathologist
Works Closely With:
- Technical Director – Autopsy & Imaging
- PMCT / Digital Autopsy Lead
- Director – CPC Operations & AB1108 Program
- Forensic Pathologists
- Digital Evidence Technicians
- Forensic Investigations Unit
- Consulting & Litigation Division
- External laboratories and imaging vendors
Custodian of Records Authority
The Manager – Digital Forensic Evidence serves as the official Custodian of Records for the Sheriff-Coroner Autopsy Service.
The Custodian of Records is responsible for maintaining the authenticity, organization, integrity, and legal defensibility of all autopsy-related records and digital evidence.
The Custodian is authorized to:
- Certify records authenticity for legal proceedings
- Respond to subpoenas and court orders
- Process authorized records requests
- Maintain records retention schedules
- Oversee digital evidence archival systems
- Supervise personnel engaged in records processing
- Designate Deputy Custodians of Records
- Maintain CJIS-compliant access controls
All official records releases occur under the authority of the Custodian of Records.
Primary Responsibilities
Digital Forensic Evidence Governance
- Establish and maintain digital evidence governance policies
- Maintain digital evidence integrity throughout the evidence lifecycle
- Develop and maintain digital evidence workflows
- Ensure consistent file structures and evidence indexing systems
- Maintain evidence preservation and archival standards
Forensic Photography Management
- Oversee storage and organization of forensic photographic evidence
- Establish image processing standards
- Ensure proper indexing of photographs to case records
- Maintain long-term photographic archives
- Support courtroom exhibit preparation
PMCT Imaging Data Management
- Oversee storage and governance of PMCT DICOM datasets
- Ensure proper linkage of imaging studies to case records
- Maintain imaging archival systems
- Coordinate secure transfer of imaging datasets when authorized
- Support development of digital autopsy workflows
Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) and Virtual Histology Management
- Oversee storage and management of virtual histology assets
- Maintain WSI archives and indexing systems
- Ensure linkage of virtual slides to corresponding autopsy cases
- Coordinate access for forensic pathologists and consultants
- Support future development of digital pathology workflows
Records Management
- Maintain organized storage of autopsy reports and supporting documentation
- Ensure compliance with records retention policies
- Maintain records retrieval systems
- Monitor records integrity and completeness
Legal Discovery and Records Release
- Process subpoenas, court orders, and records requests
- Prepare certified records packages
- Maintain release logs
- Coordinate with attorneys and legal personnel
- Support criminal, civil, and post-conviction proceedings
CJIS Compliance
- Maintain CJIS-compliant handling procedures
- Manage user access permissions
- Maintain audit logs
- Coordinate compliance activities with HR & Compliance Officer
Supervision of Digital Evidence Personnel
- Supervise Digital Evidence Technicians
- Establish training and competency standards
- Conduct performance evaluations
- Develop staffing plans for future growth
Strategic Development
- Participate in planning for future Digital Autopsy Technicians
- Support expansion of PMCT infrastructure
- Support expansion of virtual histology services
- Evaluate emerging digital forensic technologies
- Assist in development of statewide forensic data management systems
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in forensic science, criminal justice, information management, healthcare administration, digital evidence management, pathology administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered
- Experience managing sensitive records or digital evidence systems
- Strong organizational and documentation skills
- Familiarity with legal discovery and records release procedures
- Experience supervising personnel
- Ability to manage complex digital archival systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in forensic pathology, law enforcement, pathology laboratories, or medicolegal systems
- Familiarity with CJIS compliance
- Experience with DICOM imaging systems
- Experience with PACS or imaging archive systems
- Experience with whole-slide imaging (WSI) or digital pathology platforms
- Experience managing large-scale digital assets
- Experience supporting expert witness litigation
Key Competencies
- Digital evidence governance
- Records management
- Imaging informatics
- Digital pathology asset management
- Legal compliance
- Organizational leadership
- Quality assurance
- Attention to detail
- Strategic planning
- Communication and collaboration
Working Environment
The position operates within a statewide forensic pathology organization and routinely works with:
- forensic photographic evidence
- PMCT imaging datasets
- WSI and virtual histology assets
- autopsy reports
- criminal justice information
- sensitive medicolegal records
The role is primarily office-based but may involve occasional travel between JPAC, RPC, and CPC facilities statewide.
- The position requires strict adherence to confidentiality, evidence integrity, and professional ethics standards.
Employment Eligibility
Work Authorization Requirement
Employment is contingent upon providing documentation demonstrating identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by federal law.
Background Check, Motor Vehicle Record, and Drug Screening
Employment with the Company is contingent upon successfully passing all required pre-employment screenings, including a background check, motor vehicle record review, and drug test, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
