4A45
PAY RANGE: 19
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is full performance field and related office work investigating deaths which fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner. Employees in this class are required to exercise a considerable amount of discretion and tact in dealing with other governmental agencies and with the public. The nature of the work is such that an employee in this class is required to work on a rotating shift basis. Employees are distinguished from the next lower level in the series in that employees in this class perform more complex and specialized investigations independently and train lower level investigators. The findings of the investigations serve as an important basis for further action to be taken by the medical staff of the Medical Examiner's Office. Employees are frequently exposed to undesirable situations and occasional heavy physical effort in the investigation of cases. Employees work under the general supervision of an investigation supervisor or pathologist.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
• Positions must be located in the City's Medical Examiner's Office.
• Positions must be responsible for the investigation of deaths under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Handles specialized investigative assignments relating to deaths which fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner e in areas such as homicides, drug-related deaths and unknown bodies.
Reviews reports of deaths received over the phone by lower level investigators and provides guidance and training to lower level investigators on related office and field work pertaining to investigations; resolves inconsistencies with death certificates; makes determination as to whether cases of death come within the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner; documents investigative information and prepares case reports and records; conducts reviews of cases; testifies in court regarding findings of death investigations.
Conducts on-the-scene investigations based on information received from police or physicians; autopsy reports and related materials; correlates material and processes completed cases.
Conducts follow-up investigations to determine identity of decedent; conducts searches at scenes when picking up bodies in order to locate information for the identification of the decedent; ensures chain-of-custody; conducts investigational work of decedents that includes last known residence, work location, locating relatives by contacting neighbors, various public agencies, and other sources that may render assistance to determine next of kin ; obtains medical information from relatives, physicians, hospitals and other sources; prepares and attests to the affidavits of identification.
Takes identification pictures of bodies in autopsy area and at death scene; conducts fingerprinting, reviews dental records, may perform rehydration procedures of bodies for purposes of identification; transports or receives and logs in bodies in accord with established procedures, with the exception of weighing and measuring, when Forensic Technician staff is not available; uses computer for data entry and reports related to Forensic Investigations Unit.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles of health, forensics, crime, and accident investigation, the techniques of interviewing, and of the identification and preservation of physical evidence
· chain-of-custody procedures
• the laws and regulations pertaining to the investigation of deaths
• the laws and rules of evidence
• the more commonly recognized medical causes of death
ABILITY TO:
• establish and maintain public confidence and to obtain accurate information through interviews, interrogation, and observation
• communicate and present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• utilize judgement appropriately to conduct interviews of a sensitive and confidential nature
• exercise tact in maintaining relations with the public
• maintain records and prepare reports
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 3/13.)
EDUCATION:
Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience in field investigatory work.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Three years of experience conducting field investigations of sudden or unusual deaths, two years of which have been above the trainee level.
NOTE: Education at an accredited college or university may be substituted for the general experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience which shall have been
determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within six months of appointment and during tenure of employment as a Forensic Investigator 2.
Class Established:
CSC - 11/85 Ad. Board - 12/85
Spec. Revision:
CSC - 3/94 Ad. Board - 4/94
KH