Forensic Investigator I (#MBAB01)
$34,484.00 Yearly Min / $43,105.00 Yearly Mid / $51,726.00 Yearly Max

Forensic Investigator II (#MBAB02)
$39,484.00 Yearly Min / $49,355.00 Yearly Mid / $59,226.00 Yearly Max

Chief Forensic Investigator (#MBAB03)
$45,202.00 Yearly Min / $56,503.00 Yearly Mid / $67,804.00 Yearly Max

This class series uses three levels in the Public Safety occupational group, Investigative Services occupational series and describes medicolegal death investigating to assist in determining circumstances surrounding the death. Investigations include but are not limited to accidents, homicides, suicides, suspicious deaths, and industrial and aircraft disasters. Investigations include conducting interviews, photographing the scene and body, preserving evidence, and transporting the body.

Note : This career ladder series incorporates levels I and II.  The I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels.  Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with minimum qualifications and promotional standards. Promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, sets forth the criteria that defines and describes the requirements that must be met at each level.  Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on an agency's/department's operational needs and distribution of work. 
 
The Chief Forensic Investigator, although not part of the career ladder, provides competitive opportunity for movement of employees. 

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.
 

• Investigates circumstances of death at the scene by questioning police, witnesses, medical personnel, and others present; preserving evidence; photographing the scene and the body.
    
• Determines compliance with medicolegal death investigation laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures. 
   
• Conducts investigations to gather additional information, such as interviewing relatives of the deceased to ascertain medical history, recent health and other pertinent factors concerning the circumstances surrounding the death; contacts decedent’s physician, hospital personnel, dentists, law enforcement, attorneys, and others who may have pertinent information. 
   
• Prepares body for transport while preserving body evidence, transports the body to the office, tags and photographs the body in the autopsy room.
   
• Coordinates with a tissue procurement agency, the forensic pathologist, and relatives of the deceased to facilitate anatomical gifts.
   
• Prepares various investigative reports of findings to include statistical data, body condition, body receipts, personal effects receipts, and other forms associated with the disposition of the body.
   
• Participates in mass fatality preparedness and drills. 
   
• May assist in the conduct of autopsies by labeling specimen containers, opening and suturing the body, and cleaning the area and instruments; may take x-rays of bodies.

Forensic Investigator I

This is the entry level in the series.

• Reports to a technical superior; receives close technical guidance in the methods, techniques, and procedures of medicolegal death investigations. Work is reviewed in progress.
• Performs the full range of investigative work as described in the Essential Functions.
• Contacts include law enforcement, medical personnel, witnesses, and family and friends of the decedent for the purpose of gaining information concerning the cause of death.

Forensic Investigator II

This is the full performance level in the series.

• Reports to a technical supervisor. Work is performed independently and reviewed at completion.
• Conducts critical reviews of cases, updates procedure manuals, and make recommendations for policies and procedures.
• Provides guidance and field training to lower level investigators.

Chief Forensic Investigator

This level is responsible for conducting medicolegal death investigations and supervising Forensic Investigators statewide.

• Reports to an administrative supervisor.
• Supervision is exercised over two or more merit full-time positions per the Merit Rules.  The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, recommending hire/fire and discipline.
• Develops, recommends and implements policies, procedures and office operations to improve overall agency effectiveness.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of investigative methods, techniques and procedures of medicolegal death investigations.
• Knowledge of digital photography techniques and photographic equipment.
• Knowledge of forensic, medical and legal terminology.
• Knowledge of applicable division, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of legal rights and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of civil, criminal or administrative proceedings.
• Knowledge of operating a variety of forensic and investigative equipment such as stretchers, cameras, surgical instruments, x-ray machines, computers and related equipment.
• Skill in the methods and techniques for preparing clear and concise reports and correspondence.
• Skill in conducting interviews to elicit information of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to transport bodies without disturbing evidence.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Forensic Investigator II requires:

• Skill in planning and conducting medicolegal death investigations.
• Skill in interpreting, applying, explaining and determining compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Skill in techniques relative to forensic photography and photographic equipment, and legal developments relating to digital and multimedia evidence.
• Skill in preparing investigative reports.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Chief Forensic Investigator requires:

• Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of developing and implementing policies, procedures and office operations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Chief Forensic Investigator
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of an American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation (ABMDI) certificate.
2. Three years' experience in planning, developing, coordinating and implementing medicolegal death investigations.
3. Three years' experience in determining compliance with laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies or procedures.
4. Three years' experience in using forensic photographic techniques and photographic equipment such as cameras, flash, tripod and related equipment.  
5. Three years' experience in narrative report writing.
6. Knowledge of staff supervision acquired through course work, academic training, training provided through an employer, or performing as a lead worker overseeing the work of others; OR supervising staff which may include planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others; OR supervising through subordinate supervisors a group of professional, technical, and clerical employees.
7. Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).