Job Description

Medical Legal Investigator

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified candidates for Medical Legal Investigator. This is technical, laboratory, and investigative work in the Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services. Work involves conducting interviews and research in office and field settings to determine the cause and manner of death. Responsibilities also include the use of crime laboratory technology including photography to assist in collection of evidence at the scene of the death. Exercises independent judgment in selecting salient information and evidence to collect for use in determining cause of death.

In addition, the incumbent will and must have the ability to:

• Perform complex death investigations and possess medical knowledge and terminology.
• Work on and investigate cases for the cremation approval program.
• Work on and investigate cases for the Indigent Cremation Programs.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information in a professional manner and maintain confidentiality.
• Possess knowledge of state and local regulatory requirements applicable to vital statistics recordation, public records laws and rules of evidence.
• Work on-call 24/7, weekends, nights, and holidays.
• Work during emergency conditions (weather incidents, mass casualty incidents, etc).
• Work in a cohesive environment with others.
• Work well with others and be a vital part in teamwork.
• Input data into a computer database and/or case management system, and complete electronic forms.
• Regularly use office equipment, including the use and operation of camera and other photographic equipment.
• Contact the police in reportable deaths in accordance with Medical Examiner's Office procedures and protocols.
• Develop physical description of cadavers by viewing the body. Research missing person reports and compare physical descriptions to assist in identifying persons.
• May assist with crime laboratory work in the field, assembling material evidence. Follow internal procedures to ensure proper handling of evidence including drugs, medicines, poison, x-rays of ballistic location in cadavers, fingerprints, weapons, etc.
• Organize case records for the deceased for cases to be processed by the Medical Examiner's Office. Case data includes medical and family history, reports of circumstances and evidence surrounding the death.
• Prepares summary reports or cases using basic computer-based office and specialized applications. Enter case data and narrative into the Medical Examiner's data base as soon as possible and prior to end of shift.
• Research next-of-kin and identity of bodies. Arrange for family or friends to identify cadavers.

General Description: Performs technical, laboratory and investigative work in the Office of the Medical Examiner. Works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences. Supervision is provided by a technical or administrative superior through work assignment and review of completed tasks.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Requires either an Associates degree in criminal justice or biological science plus evidence of six (6) months volunteer work or internship in the field or one (1) year of related investigation experience including six (6) months knowledge and experience in the use of medical terminology.

Special Certifications and Licenses Required: American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigator (ABMDI) certification, minimum at the Diplomat Level, must be obtained within 24 months of hire and maintained for duration of employment. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver's License for duration of assignment.

Preferences: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Biological Science or related field.

Duties and Responsibilities: The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

• Responds to scenes, photographs and examines deceased for documentation and assists in determining the cause and manner of death; assists in positive identification; writes detailed scene report to provide the medical examiner with a description of the scene.
• Enters the cause and manner of death, researches/locates next of kin of deceased; relays information to the assigned funeral home once the office received body released from next of kin; assists family members with identifying and releasing bodies; oversees the cremation program for the Office of the Medical Examiner.
• Requests medical records from doctor's office and hospitals; speaks to the deceased's doctors to obtain further medical history.
• Answers phones (answer general questions from family members, funeral homes, and others); interfaces with public, answers indigent cremation program inquiries; investigates and answers inquiries about cold cases and unidentified bodies.
• Contacts the police in reportable deaths in accordance with Office of the Medical Examiner's procedures and protocols. Develops physical description of cadavers by viewing the body. Researches missing person reports, comparing physical descriptions to assist in identifying persons. May assist with crime laboratory work in the field, assembling material evidence. Follows internal procedures to ensure proper handling of evidence including drugs, medicines, poison, x-rays of ballistic location in cadavers, fingerprints, weapons, etc.
• Organizes case records for the deceased for cases to be processed by the Medical Examiner's Office. Case data includes medical and family history, reports of circumstances and evidence surrounding the death. Follows up on cases until a final disposition is reached.
• Prepares death certificates, releases of the body and other narrative and technical reports/forms as required by the situation. Prepares summary reports or cases using computer applications and enters case data into the Office of the Medical Examiner's data base. Receives notice of death by telephone, in person, or from written reports. Conducts interviews to gather information surrounding the terminal event including physical descriptions of decedents and their personal habits; determines appropriate action to be taken. Using established criteria determines if cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office and initiates action for applicable cases. Depending on assignment, may act as lead worker assisting with the training and work of other investigators, and interviewing and research in office and field setting to determine the cause and manner of death. Depending on assignment, may be assigned the task of overseeing the Indigent Program, which assists in the proper disposition of unclaimed and indigent bodies within Broward County. Depending on assignment, may be assigned the task of overseeing the death certificates submitted for cremation approval that must be reviewed, and possibly investigated, each business day for the approval of the Medical Examiner on duty. Depending on assignment, may be assigned the task of overseeing Broward County's cold cases, along with performing casework on all of the unidentified persons currently falling under the jurisdiction of Broward Medical Examiner's Office. Depending on assignment, may be assigned the task of assisting with the purchasing and oversee the maintenance of investigative equipment, uniforms and County vehicles. Performs related work as assigned.

Work Environment: Physical Demands: Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, stretching, or lifting all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or exceptional skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands, or limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Unavoidable Hazards: Involves routine and frequent exposure to radiation; disease/pathogens. Involves routine and frequent exposure to extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, odors, dust, poor ventilation, fumes. Involves routine and frequent exposure to toxic/caustic chemicals.

Special Information: Competencies: Tech Savvy, Manages Complexity, Decision Quality, Optimizes Work Processes. County Core Values: Collaborates, Customer focus, Instills trust, Values differences. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance, Emergency Management Responsibilities, County-wide Employee Responsibilities.

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