Medicolegal Investigator

Brown County is an E-Verify employer.

About the role

Investigate unexpected, suspicious, or unattended deaths to determine jurisdiction as authorized by state statute.

Schedule

12-hour shifts on a 2/2/3 rotation. Be available to work office hours, after hours, on-call, weekends, holidays, and as needed for mass disaster response or emergency preparedness.

Responsibilities

• Receive notification of deaths from witnesses, medical professionals, law enforcement personnel, funeral homes, or others in attendance.
• Investigate causes of unexpected, suspicious, or unattended deaths to determine jurisdiction as authorized by state statute.
• Attend death scenes to document the scene, including taking photographs and collecting physical evidence.
• Perform strenuous physical activity, including standing for extended periods and lifting up to 100 lbs.
• Maintain professionalism in tragic and emotional situations.
• Coordinate transport of bodies from death scenes to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Interview persons who may have information related to deaths.
• Prepare detailed investigative reports in a timely manner.
• Start and complete death certification records.
• Confer with law enforcement, hospital, and mortuary officials to obtain dental records, fingerprints, X-rays, or additional specimens as necessary to identify bodies.
• Obtain medical records as needed.
• Locate next-of-kin and notify them of medical examiner involvement; advise family members of circumstances and processes of the Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Attend court proceedings and give testimony in civil and criminal court cases as required.
• Notify next of kin personally or in conjunction with other law enforcement and judicial agencies.
• Release bodies and property to the appropriate agency, funeral director, or family member and document the transfer in accordance with office policy.
• Establish and maintain effective working and public relations with local and state law enforcement agencies, federal officers, County departments, medical personnel, funeral service professionals, families, and the public.
• Maintain the confidential nature of client and business information.
• Ensure compliance with policies and procedures of the Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Assist MLI staff with simultaneous calls and cremation investigations as needed.
• Assist MLI staff with case follow-up to maintain case continuity and progression.
• Provide shift coverage in Brown County and other partner counties as needed.
• Participate in training new and existing MLI staff.
• Perform other duties as required by state and national accreditation standards or as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the Wisconsin State Statutes concerning investigation of deaths.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques, principles, and practices used in the determination of cause and manner of death.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy and physiology, especially pertaining to death and varying forms of trauma.
• Working knowledge of occupational safety requirements and procedures, especially regarding hazardous materials and bloodborne pathogens.
• Ability to secure facts through objective, independent, and thorough investigations; identify and interpret evidence; analyze data; and make appropriate determinations.
• Ability to take proper photographs of scenes, bodies, and evidence for documentation.
• Ability to prepare, present, and maintain accurate, objective, and thorough reports and records.
• Ability to move and transfer human bodies of various weights while preserving trace evidence.
• Ability to perform work in the field in varying types of terrain and weather conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working and public relationships; communicate effectively and deal compassionately with grieving family members.
• Ability to work the required hours of the position.