This is intermediate level field and related office work conducting investigations of deaths under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner. Work involves a considerable amount of contact with other governmental agencies and the public and the exercise of discretion and tact in locating relatives of the deceased in the conduct of investigations of deaths under sudden, violent or suspicious circumstances. The nature of the work is such that any employee in this class is required to work on a rotating shift basis. Employees work under the supervisory review of a higher level investigator in which assignments expand in complexity and scope as employees gain experience. Employees are frequently exposed to undesirable situations and occasional heavy physical effort in the investigation of cases.

ALLOCATING FACTORS:
(The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

• The work must be performed in the City's Medical Examiner's Office.
• The position must be responsible for conducting investigations of deaths under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's Office.

• Receives reports of sudden, suspicious, or unusual deaths from hospital, police, physicians and other sources and initially determines whether the case comes under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner; arranges for removal of bodies to the morgue; takes identification pictures of bodies in autopsy area and also takes pictures at death scene.
• Conducts on-the-scene investigations; examines body of decedent and premises to assist pathologists in determining the manner of death and to identify the victim; secures personal effects and assets; issues receipt for valuables and submits them for safe keeping.
• Conducts follow-up investigations to determine the identity of the decedent; locates relatives of the decedent by contacting neighbors, various public agencies, and other sources that may render assistance; obtains medical information from relatives, physicians, hospitals and other sources; prepares and attests to affidavits of identification; fingerprints bodies for purposes of identification; uses computer for data entry and reports related to Forensic Investigation Unit.
• Conducts special research projects on various causes of death; consults with higher level investigators in problematic cases; keeps apprised of development in the field of medico-legal investigation; receives and logs in bodies in accord with established procedures, with the exception of weighing and measuring, when forensic technician staff is not available.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the principles of health, crime and accident investigations, the techniques of interrogation, and of the identification and preservation of physical evidence.
• the geography of the City.
• 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, interrogations, and observations.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• maintain records and prepare reports.

EDUCATION

• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

• Two years of experience in field investigatory work.

• One year of field investigatory work in the investigation of sudden or unusual deaths.

NOTE:
Education at an accredited college or university may be substituted for the general experience requirement on a year for year basis.

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 prior to appointment.

PAY RANGE: 15
Class Established:
  CSC - 11/1985 ; Ad Board - 12/1985

Latest Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 3/1994 ; Ad Board - 4/1994

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