CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
4A45
FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR II
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is full performance field and related office work investigating deaths which fall under the jurisdiction of the
Medical Examiner. The employee is 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. 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 approved for this class.)
- The position must be located in the City's Medical Examiner's Office.
- The position must be responsible for the investigation of deaths under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner's
Office.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
- Handles investigative assignments of a general nature and also handles assignments in a specialized investigative
area such as homicides, drug-related deaths and unknown bodies.
- Reviews reports of deaths received over the phone by lower level investigators; makes determination as to whether
cases of death come within the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner.
- Conducts on-the-scene investigations based on information received from police or physicians; obtains and reviews
reports of deaths, 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 and next of kin; locates relative of decedents
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 the affidavits of identification.
- Takes identification pictures of bodies in autopsy area and also takes pictures at death scene; fingerprints bodies
for purposes of identification; 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 KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- the principles of health, crime, and accident investigation, the techniques of interrogation, and of the identification
and preservation of physical evidence.
- 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.
- present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
- 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 11/85.)
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 in the investigation of sudden or unusual deaths, two years of which have been above the trainee
level.
Or any equivalent combination of education and experience which shall have been determined to be acceptable
by the Personnel Department.
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: 18
Class Established:
CSC - 11/1985 ; Ad Board - 12/1985
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC - 3/1994 ; Ad Board - 3/1994
KH/sb/sb
END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 4A45