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WC
Whatcom County
Medicolegal Death Investigator I
Career Insights for Coroner / Medical Examiner
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What they do
A Coroner or Medical Examiner directs activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.
$117,768 / year median in Washington
+12% projected growth
Job Description
Summary Whatcom County Medical Examiner's Office is recruiting for the position of Medicolegal Death Investigator I . This position is primarily responsible for investigating deaths that come under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office. Essential Job Duties Receives notification of deaths, determines jurisdiction within the Medical Examiner's Office standard guidelines. Responds to investigate death; photographs the scene and decedent; conducts visual inspection of the decedent and makes notes of the condition of the body; collects and reviews medical records and demographic information that is pertinent to cause and manner of death. Gathers, secures and transports human remains; collects, preserves and transports evidence relevant to the cause and manner of death from death scenes and autopsies. Locates and notifies next-of-kin; collects, secures and releases personal property to next-of-kin; releases human remains to funeral homes. Transfers evidence via chain-of-custody to law enforcement agencies. Writes complete, accurate and comprehensive statements of investigation, describing the scene and circumstances of death to assist the Medical Examiner in the determination of cause and manner of death. Answers phones, performs data entry and routine office functions, maintains logs and records of work performed, works with bereaved families with respect and compassion, provides courteous, high quality service to members of the public and co-workers. May be required to provide testimony in court. Sets up in advance of autopsies, prepares room, selects instruments, sets up scale and specimen containers; after autopsy cleans room, instruments, equipment and containers. Prepares decedents for autopsy, including obtaining weights and measurements, fingerprints, photographs and radiographs. Assists with examinations as assigned, including but not limited to performing eviscerations, collecting and preserving toxicology samples and evidence, maintains detailed records, sutures and cleans body for release. For more information, please review: Job description for