Job Listing for Medicolegal Death Investigator at Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office

The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office in Kansas City, MO., is seeking qualified applicants for the position of a full-time medicolegal death investigator. The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office is a N.A.M.E. accredited facility and is a county government office. The office serves approximately 1.2 million persons in a four county area. 

Qualifications preferred include an Associates Degree or higher with major course work including an emphasis in science. Experience from previous death investigations, Mortuary Science and/or Funeral Service, Law Enforcement, EMS, RN, Autopsy Experience and/or other related field(s) will be considered as well. An equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable will be considered. The applicant must possess strong verbal communication and writing skills. 

Responsibilities include determining jurisdiction of medical examiner cases, conducting death scene investigations, interacting with law enforcement/medical personnel/families of the deceased, performing external body exams, blood draws, photography, fingerprinting, processing of evidence as well as other duties. These activities culminate in writing comprehensive reports in preparation for further processing by forensic pathologists. 

Due to twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week coverage, a normal schedule consists of a minimum of four sequential twelve hour days or nights. This schedule results in a minimum of eight hours a week overtime pay. Normal scheduling can include nights, holidays and weekends. 

Registry or certification by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation is desirable but not required. The applicant must be able to obtain registry or certification within 12 months of commencement of employment.