On Call

• Assist forensic pathologists by performing death scene investigations
• Respond to death scenes promptly, often on an on-call basis
• Inspect bodies and surrounding areas and take appropriate photographs
• Make presumptive identifications and facilitate positive identification
• Obtain demographic, medical, and social histories through interviews
• Notify next of kin compassionately and provide support during grief
• Make preliminary determinations of cause and manner of death
• Determine whether forensic autopsy is warranted and assess jurisdiction
• Confer with forensic pathologists as needed
• Assess body, weapon, wound, and postmortem details for consistency with the scene and reported history
• Secure the decedent’s private property
• Document scenes and circumstances through written reports, photographs, and sketches
• Collect, inventory, package, and maintain chain of custody for property and evidence
• Coordinate with law enforcement and other investigative agencies
• Maintain confidentiality
• Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to subordinate staff as assigned
• Travel occasionally to other county work sites

Field Investigator – Paid On-Call

• Assist forensic pathologists by performing death scene investigations
• Respond to death scenes in a timely manner, often on an on-call basis
• Perform detailed inspection and photograph the body and surrounding area
• Make presumptive identification and facilitate positive identification
• Obtain demographic, medical, and social history through interviews with families, medical staff, neighbors, friends, and physicians
• Make preliminary determinations regarding cause and manner of death
• Determine whether forensic autopsy is warranted and confer with the pathologist as needed
• Assess body position, weapon position, wound types, postmortem changes, and consistency with reported history
• Secure the decedent’s private property before leaving the scene
• Document scenes and circumstances through photographs, sketches, and concise written reports
• Collect, inventory, and package property/evidence while maintaining chain of custody
• Coordinate with law enforcement and other investigative agencies
• Maintain strict confidentiality
• Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group as assigned
• Travel occasionally to other county work sites