MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATOR

General Purpose of Job:

To obtain and document information that will assist with accurately determining cause and manner of death, locating the next-of-kin, and positively identifying decedents as well as to facilitate the collection and/or protection of evidence, and property, belonging to the decedent or potentially related to the death as dictated by the circumstances of death as well as provide post mortem care to patients who die at UMHS and assist their families.

Essential Duties:

This job description is intended to cover the minimum essential duties assigned on a regular basis. Caregivers may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned by their leader. Leadership has the right to alter or modify the duties of the position.

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  • Receives reports of deaths from within UMH-Sparrow, medical personnel, police, fire/EMS, or other individuals regarding death reports; obtains information regarding circumstances of decedent's death; enters information into case management system; determines if case is within County Medical Examiner's jurisdiction.
  • Performs medical examiner investigations as to the circumstances of death in compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations and department protocol; attends death scenes within a 5-county radius; performs preliminary visual examination of body and death scene to look for obvious signs of trauma; examines body to determine if death was due to homicide, suicide, accident, or non-traumatic causes; performs physical examination of the body by checking for any marks or trauma, livor, rigor, degree of decomposition, insect, and animal activity; collects and secures physical and pathological evidence such as clothing, weapons imbedded in the body, bodily fluids, and/or other specimens; establishes chain of custody for evidence collected; reports deaths to Gift of Life for organ/tissue donation.
  • Interacts with and interviews individuals and witnesses on the scene to determine circumstances, medical, mental health, and social history of decedent; collects identifying information of witnesses for further contact as necessary; family members, witnesses, law enforcement, medical staff, & others to obtain information regarding the circumstances of the death;
  • Examines bodies; performs post-mortem care, facilitates family viewing, attends to family & team member needs, inventories & documents personal effects, provides and/or arranges for transportation of the decedent to the morgue;
  • Receives & releases decedents from the morgue, ensuring proper identification & documentation;
  • Conducts investigations into Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths, including re-enactments;
  • Photographs the body and the scene of death to ensure appropriate documentation; documents all findings and enters information into the case management system; prepares field report on the scene; Performs death notifications as needed;
  • Identifies next of kin, researches and locates the family of the decedent; notifies family after identify of decedent has been confirmed; performs viewings with family members to identify unknown decedents; assists families with indigent decedents, arranges for disposition of unclaimed decedents;
  • Requests police reports, medical records, and other documents relevant to death investigations
  • Communicates with funeral directors, law enforcement officers, other team members, and families in a professional, mature, and compassionate manner.
  • Physically manipulate decedents, including lifting up to 50 lbs unaided
  • Performs related ancillary responsibilities; attends and participates in professional group meetings,conferences, seminars, and trainings; stays abreast of new trends and information in the field;maintains equipment; washes vehicles; re-stocks supplies;
  • Performs other duties as directed.