Career Center

JOB SUMMARY/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The Med Death Investigator Trainee assists with the investigation of deaths reported to the Medical Examiner, particularly as it pertains to the seeking, gathering, and documentation of pertinent circumstantial, historical, and other medicolegal data. This position aids the Medical Examiner with the identification of decedent, determination of cause and manner of death, preservation of evidence, and anticipated future questions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Takes death reports from local law enforcement, healthcare institutions, District Attorney General's Office, and Medical Examiners from Shelby County and 14 other West Tennessee Counties.

2. Provides written documentation of said reporting and enters demographic, timeline, and investigative information into the computer database.

3. Responds to scenes and documents the scenes with photography; performs a brief body examination.

4. Obtains investigative information including medical records, police reports, EMS run sheets, etc.

5. Makes verbal presentation of casework to forensic pathologists and the Director of Investigations.

6. Requests and receives blood samples from hospitals as determined by the forensic pathologists.

7. Conducts in-dept interviews and obtain information both in-person and on the phone.

8. Interviews family member to complete the SUIDI form and performs a scene reenactment for all SUIDI deaths.

9. Assists family members with positive identifications.

10. Requests medical records on medical examiner cases and reviews records.

11. Reviews death certificates submitted by the Shelby County Health Department to determine if the cause of death is appropriate.

12. Responds to requests for assistance with death certificates from TN State Vital Records and funeral homes.

13. Assists with identification of decedents by checking fingerprint records, obtaining dental records, taking buccal swabs from family members for DNA, conducting interviews, and performing internet searches for identification.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned.