Medicolegal Death Investigator II

Job Code: 32006226
Salary Grade: MH15
Revision Date: 12/2025

Class Concept

Positions in this class ensure the uniformity, coordination, and quality of medicolegal death investigations conducted by appointed Medical Examiners (ME) and Medicolegal Death Investigators following principles and guidelines established by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). Positions are instructors responsible for curriculum development and providing the full range of knowledge and the application of educational programs from orientation level training to advanced topics within the field of forensics relevant to medicolegal deaths. Positions are responsible for the regulation of statewide professional standards, efficacy, and quality assurance. Positions provide regular check-ins with newly appointed Medical Examiners, providing mentorship, and competency assessments. Positions assist with recruitment efforts, providing recommendations for Medical Examiner appointments, and revocation of Medical Examiner appointments as necessary. Positions participate in development and implementation of medicolegal practices and serves as part of a network of regional centers and county-based medical examiners known as the Medical Examiner System where the production of Report of Investigation by Medical Examiner (RIME) are often used in court proceedings to certify the cause and manner of death. Responsibilities include building and sustaining relationships with county leaders, law enforcement, EMS, funeral homes, regional autopsy centers, and health departments that may be regionally based. The work includes identifying staffing needs, developing staffing strategies, and identifying talent.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques required in the performance of medicolegal death investigations
• Thorough knowledge of statutes, rules, policies and procedures related to medicolegal death investigations
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to understand and interpret medical and forensic terminology, rules regarding evidence, and the ability to maintain a legally defensible chain of custody
• Intermediate knowledge and awareness of various hazards associated with possible scene investigations, including physical, chemical, biological hazards and exposure
• Ability to obtain and record the information needed for the adequate evaluation of death of medicolegal significance, analyze facts and data, reach logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations
• Ability to clearly communicate in order to conduct interviews and investigations, testify in court if necessary to explain and defend findings, deal tactfully with the public, and maintain effective working relationships with investigatory agencies

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in science (biology, chemistry, nursing, anthropology, forensic sciences, biochemistry, or related sciences field), or criminal justice from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of medicolegal death investigation experience or specialized (e.g., unidentified decedent, etc.) experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

Requires appointment as an NC Medical Examiner within six months from time of hire.

Certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigations (ABMDI).