Forensic Investigator

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences in Houston, TX, seeks a Forensic Investigator to respond to death scenes, document and recover remains, and prepare written reports per Texas procedures. You will direct decedent transport, coordinate with law enforcement, and testify in court as needed.

Requires a Criminal Justice/Forensic Science degree and a Texas driver’s license within two weeks. The role involves physical duties and long on-site hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Anthropology, Biological Sciences, or an equivalent field.
• Valid driver's license is required (Texas within two weeks of employment).
• Knowledge of crime scene investigation, photography, fingerprints and basic human anatomy.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Effective organizational and time management skills are essential.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office and standard applications.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple tasks.
• Physical demands of manipulating bodies, loading/unloading, and scene investigations.

Responsibilities

• Responds to death scenes to document, recover and identify human remains and collect evidence.
• Direct decedent transport staff and manage evidence collection on scene.
• Notify families and liaise with law enforcement; ensure smooth shift transitions.
• Prepare and submit reports to designated parties across jurisdictions.
• Supervise admission and release of bodies, maintain specimen integrity.
• Coordinate with Forensic Transporters for scene response and decedent recovery.
• Testify in court regarding investigations and documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Skills

Crime scene knowledge

Photography

Fingerprints

Written communication

Time management

MS Office

Independent work

Physical stamina

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice/Forensic Science

Job description

Mission

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

Vision

• To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.
• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.
• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Brief Forensic Investigator Overview:

The Forensic Investigator responds to death scenes to document, recover and identify human remains, and collect and preserve physical and biological evidence. Answers and records death calls and prepares written and verbal reports in accordance with Sec. 49.25, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Consults other HCIFS Divisions (i.e. anthropology, trace) as requested or required by the circumstances of a case.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responds to death scenes to document, recover and identify human remains, and collect and preserve physical and biological evidence.
• While on scene, responsible for directing decedent transport staff in helping with manipulation of the decedent, property collection, and evidence collection at scenes.
• Locates and notifies family of death, responds to inquiries from families and law enforcement agencies, and provides for complete transition of information from shift to shift and team to team.
• Prepares and submits to all designated parties reports covering operations and jurisdictions.
• Supervises the admission and release of bodies to ensure procedural compliance, protects the integrity of specimens and evidence, and ensures proper identification and storage.
• This includes supervision of decedent transport staff both at scenes and in the office.
• Coordination with Forensic Transporters and Forensic Transporter II's for scene response and decedent recovery from hospitals/scenes.
• Testifies in court proceedings regarding investigation, observations, and documentation procedures at the scene.
• Notifies the Supervisor, Director of Forensic Investigations and/or Assistant Deputy Chief Medical Examiner of special problems or interests.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Supervisor, Director of Forensic Investigations and/or Assistant Deputy Chief Medical Examiner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS MAY BE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW; AN OFFICIAL CERTIFIED ORIGINAL WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO ANY JOB OFFER.. THIS POSITION IS CONDITIONAL UPON PASSING A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND A DRUG SCREENING.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts/Science degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Anthropology, Biological Sciences, or an equivalent field.

Licensure:

• Valid driver's license is required (Texas within two weeks of employment)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of crime scene investigation, photography, fingerprints and basic human anatomy.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Effective organizational and time management skills are all essential to satisfactory job performance.
• Basic computer skills including computer systems using Microsoft Office and standard applications.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritizing and handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Natural ambulation and manual dexterity are required due to the essential physical demands of manipulating bodies as part of the investigation and in loading/unloading bodies, including the ability to climb stairs, industrial and commercial structures; ability to board ships; and the ability to spend whatever time necessary on one's feet to investigate and/or recover human remains

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume"will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferred Education:

• Graduate degrees in a related field

Preferred Experience:

• Experience (previous employment or internships) in a medical examiner's office
• Experience with exposure to human remains at some point during schooling or prior work experience

Preferred Licensure:

• Current registry (diplomate) level certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)

Location:

• Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences - 1861 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054

Work Environment:

• Work involves possible exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• May come in contact with blood and/or blood-borne pathogens and will require training in Universal Precautions.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.