Medicolegal Death Investigator

Lubbock County; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) at Lubbock County Medical Examiner's Office conducts death investigations under Texas law, coordinating with law enforcement, medical personnel, and families to determine cause and manner of death. The role requires detailed scene investigations, evidence handling, documentation, and reporting.

Responsibilities include scene response, interviews, evidence preservation, chain of custody, and preparation of comprehensive reports for review by the Medical

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in health, physical or behavioral sciences or related field.
• Two years or work-related experience required.
• Registered Medicolegal Investigator by ABMDI or eligibility within 24 months of hire.
• Knowledge of Texas county and state laws regarding death investigation.
• Ability to identify, photograph, document, preserve, and retain evidence.

Responsibilities

• Attend death scenes and cooperate with law enforcement to collect evidence.
• Interview family members, witnesses, and other professionals for cause and manner of death.
• Examine the body and scene and document conditions with reports and photography.
• Maintain chain of custody for evidence and personal property.
• Prepare paperwork for specimen/evidence submission and ensure proper transfer.
• Enter detailed death investigation reports and evidence into the data system.
• Notify next-of-kin and coordinate with public agencies as needed.
• Provide guidance to staff and testify in court or deposition when required.

Skills

Interviewing

Evidence handling

Report writing

Scene investigation

Communication with families

Microsoft Word/Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in health sciences/physical sciences/behavioral sciences

Tools

Data collection system

Photography documentation

Job description

The Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) is responsible for investigating deaths that fall under the jurisdiction of the Lubbock County Medical Examiner (LCME) in accordance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, Article 49.25. The MDI works closely with law enforcement, medical personnel, and families to determine the cause and manner of death, ensuring thorough documentation, evidence collection, and reporting. This role involves responding to death scenes, conducting interviews, managing personal property, and preparing detailed reports for review by the Medical Examiner.

• Attend death scenes to gather evidence and work cooperatively with law enforcement personnel to ensure proper collection and preservation of evidence related to the death investigation.
• Interview family members, witnesses, law enforcement, physicians, and other relevant individuals to assist in determining the cause and manner of death.
• Examine the body and surrounding scene, documenting conditions through written reports and photography.
• Recognize, document, and preserve evidence, personal belongings, and biological specimens, ensuring proper Chain of Custody.
• Receive notifications of deaths and determine jurisdiction according to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, Article 49.25.
• Investigate deaths falling under LCME jurisdiction, including out-of-county cases, and document circumstances through reports and photography.
• Perform professional-level analysis of gathered data to assist in determining the cause and manner of death.
• Enter detailed death investigation reports, scene photographs, and evidence information into the data collection system.
• Prepare necessary paperwork for specimen/evidence submission and facilitate transfer using proper Chain of Custody forms.
• Maintain accurate records and files in both paper and electronic formats.
• Communicate with next-of-kin, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and other relevant parties to facilitate information sharing and case progress.
• Notify and exchange information with other public agencies as necessary.
• Provide information and assistance to family members of decedents, ensuring sensitive handling of information.
• Handle inquiries and requests for information, responding within established guidelines.
• Assist in providing training and information to staff, interns, and other interested parties.
• Collect, document, secure, track, and dispose of the decedent’s personal property.
• Facilitate the disposition of the body, including indigent and unclaimed bodies.
• Assist with identifying decedents and ensuring timely notification of next-of-kin.
• Receive decedent bodies and prepare them for disposition or further investigation as required.
• Provide direction and assistance to staff, responding to non-routine situations, especially those occurring outside of normal business hours.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues during investigations, including at crime scenes, any time of day or night.
• Offer guidance and support to fellow team members and newly assigned investigators, ensuring proper investigative techniques and protocols are followed.
• Testify in court or under deposition regarding findings from death investigations as required.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and LCME policies.
• Keep staff updated on any relevant changes in laws or procedures.
• Perform additional tasks and responsibilities as needed to support the smooth operation of LCME and the completion of death investigations.

• Bachelor's degree in health sciences, physical sciences or behavioral sciences or related field of study.
• Two (2) years or work-related experience required.
• Registered Medicolegal Investigator by ABMDI or eligibility to become registered within 24 months of hire.
• Knowledge of Texas county and state laws regarding death investigation.
• Ability to properly identify, photograph, document, preserve, and retain evidence and personal belongings.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Confidentiality of all that is seen and heard during the scope of the job is always required.
• Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and background check.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Able to perform assigned duties while working with human remains (where death could be due to any of the spectrum of causes), and in all phases of preservation. Unpleasant odors are common. Confidentiality of all that is seen and heard during the investigation and examination of death is required. Ability to make professional presentations as required and works independently.

Physical and Environmental Requirements: Maintain the ability to stand; walk; kneel; bend; reach; grip; use fine dexterity; push and pull objects; flex upper trunk forward at the waist and partially at the knees; lift/turn/roll bodies over 100 pounds; occasionally rotate upper trunk to the left or right while sitting or standing; place arms above, at or below shoulder height; use of vision and depth perception; ability to speak clearly and hear.

DISCLAIMER: The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Employer: Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.