Deputy Medical Examiner

Description

Under the supervision of the Medical Examiner, investigates and reports on the cause and manner of deaths, including the gathering of physical evidence, interviewing, assisting in post-mortem examinations; determines if a case falls under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office; and performs related work as required.

Examples of Duties

• Investigate death scenes to determine cause and manner of deaths in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes.
• Examines evidence at the scene to establish an initial assessment of the cause and manner of death as natural, suicide, homicidal, accidental, or undetermined.
• Assists in the identification of the decedent by examining the body and the scene of the death.
• Collects and preserves physical evidence in accordance with the established chain of custody procedures.
• Notifies the next of kin personally or in conjunction with law enforcement, judicial agencies, of pastoral services.
• Supervises the removal of the body from the scene, including transporting to the appropriate post-mortem facility.
• Conducts medical and social history data collection on cases from hospital personnel, health care personnel, families, friends, neighbors, and other sources.
• Testifies in civil and criminal cases on the results of investigations and other expert information
• Prepares and issues death certificates, disinterment permits, cremation permits, embalming permits, medical record requests, subpoenas, and other legally binding documents.
• Photograph, fingerprint, collect toxicology samples, gather DNA samples and other forensic evidence from the body.
• Establishes and maintains effective working and public relations with various local, county and state law enforcement agencies, federal officers, correctional officers, county departments and the public.
• Assists at autopsies and subsequent cleaning and restocking of supplies.
• Handle the administrative duties of the office in the absence of the Medical Examiner. These duties include, but are not limited to: Accounts payable, accounts receivable, attend PS&J Committee meetings as required; serve civil process upon the Sheriff; case management; monthly reports; personnel scheduling.
• Performs other duties as required.

Essential Qualifications

• Requires a combination of training and experience equivalent to at least an Associate Degree in Police Science, OR
• Related field and two years experience either performing criminal or civil investigations, including writing investigative reports.
• Requires a medical background trained to at least the Emergency Medical Technician – Basic level or similar training and two years of medical field experience.
• Familiarity with exposure control plans and appropriate personal protective equipment including safe needle practices.
• Considerable knowledge of Wisconsin State Statute 979, concerning the investigation of deaths
• Considerable knowledge of Wisconsin State Statute 69, concerning the reporting and recording of deaths
• Considerable knowledge of causes and manners of death and their manifestations with regard to the body, the scene, medical social history, and forensics
• Considerable knowledge of investigative techniques, principles, and practices used in the investigation of deaths including the American Board of Medical Legal Death Investigators and the 1999 Death Investigation guidelines as published by the National Institutes of Justice
• Considerable knowledge of the morphological aspects of the causes of death with special attention to necropsy
• Working knowledge of medical terminology and medicine as it pertains to death and varying forms of trauma
• Working knowledge of human anatomy and physiology sufficient to gather blood and other bodily fluids as evidence
• Ability to effectively communicate with physicians and other licensed health care providers
• Ability to communicate with survivors of the decedent
• Ability to communicate investigative results in a court of law
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other public agencies and the general public
• Ability to interpret a death scene, identify items of evidence and assess the condition of the body
• Ability to take proper photographs of scene, body, and evidence for documentation
• Ability to physically remove a body from the scene and transport or supervise the transport of the body to a proper facility including, but not limited to the morgue, and ensuring the preservation of evidence.
• Ability to prepare and present accurate, objective, and thorough reports.
• Oral and written skills are essential
• Possession of a valid Wisconsin Driver's License
• Ability to drive County-owned vehicles
• Access to reliable personal motor vehicle transportation
• Must be available to work on-call shifts, as scheduled, including evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Must maintain auto liability insurance.
• Must be bondable.
• Random drug testing required.