• Job Description

  Req#: 4335776

  Performs advanced-level investigative duties on a day-to-day basis to achieve goals of the department including conducting investigations into any sudden, unexpected, and unattended deaths of individuals that are tentatively identified or unknown within the jurisdiction of the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office. Performs investigations on long term unidentified cases (cold cases). Position also searches for next of kin for identified decedents that are designated to be released to County Burial. This position was created as a part of a federal grant to investigate current unidentified cases and cold cases dating back to the 1960’s when the office was created.

  
  

  Grant funded.
  

  Posting may close at any time .

  
  BENEFITS
  
  Tarrant County employees enjoy superior health, retirement, and insurance benefits &
  13 County Holidays
  
  For more information, please click on the link below:
  http://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/human-resources/employee-benefits.html

  1. Reviews identifications for quality assurance purposes, particularly when based on scientific modalities (e.g., DNA, fingerprints).
  2. Manage daily case list in coordination with the Chief of Human Identification, ensuring that all scientific analyses are completed as appropriate. Manage the agency’s unidentified decedent case list that includes decedents from the 1960’s to current.
  3. Assists families, the Chief of Human Identification, and Medical Examiners with the decedent identification process.
  4. Investigates missing person inquiries submitted to the agency by citizens and family members. Coordinates with law enforcement regarding missing person investigations.
  5. Utilizes civilian and law enforcement computer databases to further the inquest investigation goals. Submits unidentified decedent case data for entry into NCIC and NCMEC. Enters and manages unidentified decedent data in the NamUs database. Enters and manages identified, unclaimed decedent data in the ClaimUs database.
  6. Communicates with appropriate staff or citizens in performance of duties that may include such actions as notifying next-of-kin in deaths; establishing rapport through interviews with or assisting citizens or parties of interest; interviewing witnesses, friends, relatives, and suspects to obtain information about the decedent; contacting representatives from other law enforcement and criminal justice entities for follow-up investigations; providing case information or department statistics to various agencies, exchanging information with governmental, private, and public agencies; and obtaining medical history and records for deceased individuals from family, physicians, hospitals, and dental offices.
  7. Gathers and processes data for the preparation and distribution of complex reports, including annual statistics.
  8. Documents, maintains, and updates required records, files, and statistics as such pertains to departmental and work group operations; studies evidence and submits as needed for professional examination; enters data into computerized records management system as required; prepares investigations and case reports of circumstances, pertinent data, and evidence for filing with the medical examiner's office and other appropriate agencies including law enforcement, district attorney, hospitals, etc.
  9. Recommends actions or participates in implementation of departmental programs, policies, procedures, or other professional activities as assigned.
  10. Ensures compliance with any or all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and policies and may update staff or work group on applicable changes. Provides information regarding state laws and codes as well as departmental policy and procedures in response to inquiries from members of the medical profession, law enforcement, governmental agencies, funeral homes, and the General Public.
  11. Testifies in court or under deposition regarding the identification process.
  12. Works with funeral homes and crematories to troubleshoot death certificate discrepancies to meet Vital Statistics standards.
  13. Responds to the Family Assistance Center in a mass fatality incident.
  14. Attends training as required from licensing or accreditation boards to include the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI), Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), and the National Association of Medical Examiner’s (NAME).
  15. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

  TO APPLY , must have a B achelor’s degree from an accredited program, with specialization in criminalistics, forensic science, biology, anthropology, or a closely related scientific field.

  AND
  

  TO APPLY, must have Two (2) full-time years of police, coroner, medical examiner, or other field-based forensic death investigation experience.

  
  

  Field-based investigative experience must have included duties such as interviewing witnesses and family; following leads, searching for identification or next-of-kin information; using records and other evidence to substantiate findings and conclusions; examining records to detect relevant information, reconstructing events, preparing reports of investigative findings; and providing courtroom/deposition testimony.

  
  

  Completion of a Medicolegal Death Investigation course or equivalent.

  
  

  TO APPLY , must have a valid driver license.

  
  

  Intermediate computer skills and database management.

  
  

  Must have strong interpersonal skills.

  
  

  Able to interact with bereaved family members in a compassionate manner.

  
  

  Able to work with minimal supervision.

  
  

  Excellent organizational and communication (written and oral) skills.

  While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to sit, stand, lift, transport, stoop, grasp, climb, walk and bend.

  
  

  Regular attendance is essential. Incumbent must arrive at work on time, prepared to perform assigned duties and work assigned schedule. Incumbent must have the ability to work well with others. Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the position without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others. Requested accommodations to work hours and schedules are considered on an individual basis. Tarrant County will conduct background checks that will include a criminal background check and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, educational attainment, or additional State or Federal legal requirements.

  
  

• About the company

  Tarrant County is located in the US state of Texas.

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