The Death Investigator conducts on scene and collaborative death investigations, gathers and documents evidence and information, coordinates with law enforcement and medical professionals, manages the transport and handling of remains, communicates with families and other stakeholders, and prepares clear investigative reports to support accurate determination of cause and manner of death.

Duties & Responsibilities

Provides 24-hour, 365-day death investigation coverage, including attendance and examination of death scenes within the University of North Dakota Department of Pathology service area and case coordination with surrounding Minnesota and South Dakota, to assess autopsy jurisdiction and necessity.
- Independently responds to and processes death scenes in varied environments, including residences, healthcare facilities, and public locations, often outside normal business hours.
- Conducts systematic death scene investigations, including observation, documentation and interpretation of scene conditions, body position, postmortem changes, medications, and medical devices.
- Performs visual examinations of decedents to assess injuries and postmortem finding relevant to determining cause and manner of death.
- Collects, documents investigative information through written, reports, photographs, and electronic case management systems, requiring accuracy and attention to detail.
- Obtains relevant medical history and circumstantial information through liaising with law enforcement, medical personnel, and next-of-kin.
- Communicates professionally and compassionately with next-of- kin and collaborating agencies.
- Completes investigative reports in compliance with legal, regulatory, and professional standards.
- Assists in ensuring quality assurance of death investigation case documentation and procedures.
- As a delegate for the Medical Examiner for surrounding Minnesota and South Dakota counties, receiving all reports of unattended, suspicious deaths in accordance with statute. These calls are taken 24 hours a day/seven days a week, as and when they happen.
- Maintains chain of custody through proper handling, documentation and logging of decedents and associated property during intake, transfer, and release from the facility.
Review of Death investigations for accuracy, incomplete findings and correct with primary source data. Quality assurance
- Ongoing investigations for all cases to be sure all reports are gathered to include Law enforcement, EMS, hospital medical records, and other reports pertaining to the case.
- Add additional forms to cases in MDI such as suicide form, fall form, firearm form, or whatever additional form that is pertinent to the case.
- Develop QA forms and check all cases entered in MDI to ensure all investigators are entering the proper data to include body tracking.
- Contact our doctors when the investigation of a case is complete so they can complete the case when toxicology is back.
Other duties assigned
- Maintain facility cleanliness, safety, and general overall appearance.
- Identify, document, and report maintenance or safety issues to appropriate personal/supervisor.
- Support team operations by providing general assistance to other staff and visitors when needed.

Required Competencies

Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgement and critical thinking in evaluating investigative findings and documentation needs.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with legal, regulatory and records retention and legal requirements.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science, nursing, criminal justice, social work or related field
Previous experience using Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and Outlook
Valid driver's license
Must be available to work shifts of 8am - 4pm and/or evening shift 4pm - 8am, to include weekends and holidays on rotation. Our agency runs 24 hours a day- 365 days a year.
Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.