On-Call Death Scene Investigator

Anoka County; Ramsey (MN); On-site; USD 4,100 - 138,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Advancement/professional development

Job summary

Anoka County is seeking a Field Investigator to support forensic pathologists by conducting death scene investigations in North St. Louis County, MN, under Minnesota statutes and DOJ guidelines.

The role is part-time, temporary, on-call, with responsibilities ranging from on-scene documentation to communicating with families and agencies. You will work with a supportive team, maintain confidentiality, and may mentor others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of job-related experience.
• In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle available for business use.

Responsibilities

• Respond to death scenes in a timely manner, often on an on-call basis for a specific area especially for unexpected deaths. Perform detailed inspection and appropriate photographs of the body and surrounding area.
• Make presumptive identification and take steps to facilitate positive identification.
• Obtain demographics, and medical and social history by performing interviews of neighbors/friends, family, nursing staff, or primary physician including interview family and providing support in times of grief.
• Make preliminary determination of cause and manner of death at scene, determine if forensic autopsy is warranted, and assumption or declination of jurisdiction and confer with pathologist as needed.
• Assess body position, weapon position, wound types, physical postmortem changes and other pertinent factors; evaluate for consistency with scene and decedent’s reported history. Ensure decedent’s private property is secure prior to vacating death scene.
• Photograph and accurately document scene and circumstances. Provide concise and thorough written reports documenting investigation and findings, including photos and sketches as needed.
• Collect, inventory and package property/evidence to be removed from the scene, maintaining strict chain of custody.
• Coordinate and interact with all appropriate law enforcement and other investigative agencies on scene in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group as assigned.

Skills

Forensic investigation

Death scene photography

Interviewing grieving individuals

Documentation & reporting

Confidentiality

Communication skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Two years of job-related experience

Job description

Anoka County is seeking a Field Investigator to support forensic pathologists by conducting death scene investigations in North St. Louis County, MN, under Minnesota statutes and DOJ guidelines.

The role is part-time, temporary, on-call, with responsibilities ranging from on-scene documentation to communicating with families and agencies. You will work with a supportive team, maintain confidentiality, and may mentor others.