Medicolegal Death Investigator I

Job Title Medicolegal Death Investigator I (S) – Grade MH13 Agency & Division Department of Health and Human Services – Public Health Salary Salary grade range: $55,490.00 – $83,235.00. Description of Work The Medicolegal Death Investigator I position supports the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner by conducting medicolegal death investigations and facilitating communication with law enforcement, medical facilities, funeral homes, and families. The role performs death scene investigations, collects evidence from decedents, and gathers reports to support determinations of cause and manner of death. Duties include assisting with post‑mortem examinations, participating in decedent identification through radiography, fingerprinting, and DNA collection, and ensuring accurate documentation and chain of custody. Key Duties Include Conduct independent medicolegal death scene investigations and document findings to support cause and manner of death determinations. Collect, preserve, and submit evidence—including radiographs, fingerprints, and DNA samples—while maintaining a defensible chain of custody. Assist with post‑mortem examinations by photographing remains, collecting toxicology specimens, and documenting injuries and personal effects. Receive and evaluate incoming death reports, determine jurisdictional authority, and enter case data into the North Carolina medical examiner system. Coordinate with law enforcement, hospitals, funeral homes, and other agencies to obtain case information and ensure proper evidence handling. Perform forensic identification activities including radiographic imaging, fingerprinting, and skeletal analysis, and forward biometric data to appropriate databases. Manage evidence intake and release to ensure accurate documentation and compliance with investigative and legal standards. Support training programs related to medicolegal death investigation and forensic identification, including assisting interns and professional trainees. Conduct research on unresolved or cold cases and apply updated forensic techniques in collaboration with partner agencies. Participate in emergency and mass fatality response efforts by assisting with scene coordination, communication, and identification activities. Qualifications & Preferred Skills Applicants should possess the following qualifications and skills: Proven experience conducting death scene investigations with thorough documentation, evidence collection, and accurate chain‑of‑custody records. Intermediate proficiency performing post‑mortem fingerprinting, radiographic imaging, and skeletal surveys for identification, including submission of biometric data to state and federal databases. Experience managing case information in electronic case‑management systems within a high‑volume environment. Intermediate‑level skill using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel) to prepare detailed investigative reports and support inter‑agency communication. Experience providing forensic training or mentorship to interns, students, or professionals, including instruction on medicolegal jurisdiction, identification techniques, and scene documentation processes. Minimum Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in science (biology, chemistry, nursing, anthropology, forensic sciences, biochemistry, or related field) or criminal justice from an accredited institution and two years of medicolegal death investigation experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Physical Requirements Periods of sitting, viewing computer monitors, reading, and interpreting hand‑written reports, and repetitive hand and wrist motion entering data. Ability to respond to active death scenes, withstand, and work in all weather conditions for extended periods. Ability to climb, kneel, crawl, reach, walk, stand, push, pull, and lift medium to heavy weight. Benefits Employees participate in health insurance options, retirement plans, and various benefits through the NCFlex program. Paid vacation, sick leave, community service leave, and paid parental leave are available. EEO Statement The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices. #J-18808-Ljbffr Justice