Medical Legal Death Investigator

We are seeking a dedicated and detail‑oriented Medical‑Legal Death Investigator to join our team at the Lane County District Attorney’s Office.

• Gather information at scenes and examine bodies for evidence of medical disease and/or injury.
• Take skillful scene and body photos for documentation purposes.
• Interview relatives, witnesses, and other involved parties to obtain critical details for the investigation.
• Collect bodily fluid specimens for toxicology testing and collect physical evidence.
• Prepare detailed and grammatically sound death investigation reports.
• Authorize and coordinate the removal of bodies to and from specified locations by the designated funeral home or contracted transport service company.
• Take custody of deceased’s personal effects when applicable, document a thorough and detailed inventory, and then release the property to a responsible person such as a funeral director, relative, or law enforcement.
• Assist in the coordination of death notifications or personally perform them.
• Engage as the multifaceted conduit between families, medical personnel, funeral directors, law enforcement, etc., and the Deputy State Medical Examiner during all phases of the investigation.
• Assist with post‑mortem examinations during training and when regular technicians are unavailable or need additional assistance.
• Review police reports, video/audio recordings, medical records, dental charts, etc., to summarize in the investigative reports.
• Update and maintain the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office file system.
• Occasionally provide testimony for grand jury and criminal or civil trials.
• Represent the Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office before the media and occasionally make presentations to the general public.
• Answer inquiries and correspondence with insurance companies, attorneys, law enforcement, physicians, and families.
• Understand and apply the laws, rules, and regulations prescribed by ORS 146 and other statutes that relate to death investigations.

About the Division:
Christopher J. Parosa is Lane County’s elected district attorney. The office prosecutes all crimes in Lane County Circuit Court. The Death Investigations division handles cause and manner of death for traumatic or unattended deaths.

• Five years of medical investigative, similar investigation experience, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or a related field; or an equivalent combination sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.

• Training and experience in paramedicine (EMT or paramedic) or nursing.
• Familiarity with basic anatomy, common medical conditions, and general medical terminology.
• Effective communication with and between diverse organizations and individuals such as law enforcement, medical personnel, and family members.
• Ability to independently analyze and prioritize multiple complex or critical tasks, often occurring simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Familiarity with modern office procedures, methods, and computer technology.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, medical facilities/providers, and local law enforcement agencies in the usual course of work.
• Oregon Medicolegal Death Investigator (OMLDI) Training Certification: A 40‑hour in‑person course at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office with written and practical examinations. Certification at the time of appointment or obtained within one year of employment satisfies the requirement.
• American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Basic Certification:
  Relevant experience, training, and documentation obtained on‑the‑job to qualify for sitting for the proctored examination. Certification at the time of appointment or obtained within one year of employment satisfies the requirement.

• Applicants must take and successfully pass assessments related to this role.

• Must be able to respond to a scene of investigation within one hour.
• This position is subject to a full criminal offender record check.

• Must be in possession of a valid…