Forensic Pathologist - Office of the Medical Examiner

City & County of Denver - Denver Office of the Medical Examiner; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

City & County of Denver - Denver Office of the Medical Examiner is seeking a Forensic Pathologist to perform postmortem examinations and medicolegal autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. The role includes examining cases, reviewing data, and ensuring accurate autopsy findings.

You will provide expert testimony, collaborate with law enforcement, and assist in education and policy development within the office. On-call duties and ongoing professional leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to perform medicolegal autopsies and report findings clearly.
• Experience providing expert testimony in criminal or civil matters.
• Leadership and mentorship of medical staff and trainees.

Responsibilities

• Perform postmortem examinations and medicolegal autopsies to determine cause and manner of death.
• Review cases and select appropriate examination types per Colorado statute.
• Provide testimony as an expert witness in legal settings.
• Collect, preserve, and document evidence with proper chain of custody.

Skills

Forensic pathology

Medicolegal autopsy

Expert testimony

Leadership

Job description

Who We Are & What You’ll Do

Within the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) investigates all violent, suspicious and unexpected natural deaths within the jurisdiction of the City and County of Denver. The goal of forensic investigation and autopsy is to develop logical, scientific, and unbiased information necessary to determine the cause and manner of death for the proper and accurate completion of the death certificate and autopsy report. The agency also offers death expert testimony/consultation, death scene response and investigation, and deceased identification and death notification. OME reports and other information can be found at: DDPHE: Office of the Medical Examiner.

We foster an inclusive culture by respecting the values, customs, and authenticity of everyone and by implementing equitable public health strategies so Denver communities can thrive.

As a Forensic Pathologist, you will perform postmortem examinations and medicolegal autopsies to determine cause and manner of death. Additionally, this position will assist the Chief Medical Examiner in assessing the quality of services provided and ensure staff and visitors conform with department policies at scenes and in the autopsy room and will assist in the development and implementation of office policies and procedures. This position will report to the Chief Medical Examiner.

Specifically, in this position, you will:

• Provides clinical functions of the office and provide technical oversight, mentorship, and leadership in the development and application of forensic pathology practices.
• Reviews deaths reported to the Office of the Medical Examiner as required by Colorado Statute and determines appropriate examination type including autopsy, external, and chart review.
• Performs medicolegal autopsies in accordance with accepted standards in the recognized medical specialty of forensic pathology.
• Orders and interprets necessary diagnostic tests to aid in the diagnosis of disease and non-natural pathology, understands the effects of postmortem interval on laboratory test results, and determines the cause and manner of death.
• Assists in the education and training of fellows, residents, medical students, interns, and others in the function of the Medical Examiner/Coroner and in forensic pathology.
• Shares on-call responsibilities with other staff physicians, responds to homicide or other suspicious death scenes as requested by the Medical Examiner investigator or police department, and consults on the release of organs and tissue for recovery by procurement agencies.
• Gives testimony as to the cause of death and renders expert opinions in a variety of legal forums, both criminal and civil.
• Collects evidence and preserves it using accepted chain of custody procedures, documents findings at autopsy including pertinent traumatic injuries in the form of a written report, and photographs pertinent findings and traumatic injuries.
• Consults with medical experts as necessary to aid in the determination of the cause of death.
• Meets and/or confers with attorneys, law enforcement, and health professionals to discuss the autopsy findings and investigation.
• Meets and/or speaks with families to discuss the results of the autopsy and the particulars of the death investigation and communicates with the media and other interested parties about the autopsy report.
• Assists in the planning and participation of research activities that the office collaborates on.
• Assists the Chief Medical Examiner in assessing the quality of services provided, helps ensure that staff and visitors conform with office and department safety policies at scenes and in the autopsy room, and assists in the development of office safety policies and in the development of office emergency preparedness plans.
• Assists in the collaboration with local, regional, and state law enforcement, investigative, legal, and medical agencies including public health.
• Along with all DDPHE staff, actively participate in emergency preparedness and response team activities to support DDPHE’s responsibilities outlined in the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. This may require being ‘on-call’ from time to time respond to emergencies. Training will be provided.
• Other duties as assigned.