Medicolegal Death Investigator

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Closing Date: July 29th, 2026 or upon receipt of 50 applicant submissions

Medicolegal Death Investigator

Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO)

Hourly Range: $33.92 - $50.88

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiners Office investigates sudden, unexpected, and violent deaths, and determines the cause and manner of death. The goal of the Medicolegal Death Investigator position is to provide high quality and timely medicolegal death investigations to assist the Medical Examiner in determining cause and manner of death.

The Medical Examiner's Office will be relocating to the newly constructed Forensic Science and Protective Medicine Facility at 9400 West Doyne Avenue, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, located on the Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin campus. This modern facility represents a significant regional investment in advancing forensic analysis, public safety, and emergency preparedness. The building features highly specialized laboratory environments, state‑of‑the‑art autopsy suites designed to enhance diagnostic precision, expanded investigative and operational workspaces to support efficiency and interdisciplinary coordination, improved evidence-handling infrastructure, upgraded security systems, and enhanced environmental controls. The facility will also house the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory and the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, creating a centralized hub for collaboration and strengthening services across the region. The official move‑in date is scheduled for mid‑September 2026.

Job Summary: The Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) will report information discovered during thorough investigations pertaining to medical and forensic evidence of the body as well as personal/medical history of decedents. This position responds to active death scenes to determine the preliminary cause and manner of death based on evidence observed and collected, interviews of witnesses/families, and preliminary examination of the body. The MDI is responsible for locating the decedents family to notify them of the death, investigating requests for cremation, certifying cremation permits, and obtaining pertinent records. The MDI is exposed to all aspects of death, including grieving individuals, hostile situations, and traumatic/violent causes of death of all ages. This position is considered essential at the MCMEO and is required to report for all scheduled shifts regardless of inclement/treacherous weather, even if the County closes operations.

Job Responsibilities:

• In accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes - Chapter 979, MCMEO Policies and Procedures, National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) standards, perform medicolegal death investigations that consists of making death pronouncements; undressing and examining bodies and recording in detail the external appearance of bodies including anomalies and their locations using specific medical and forensic terminology. Interview police, first responders, fire personnel, witnesses, funeral directors, medical personnel, and families. Further document findings with photographs and descriptive written reports. Recover all biological human remains from death scenes not attached to the body.
• Draw specimens from bodies such as blood, urine, vitreous humor, etc. Request antemortem specimens (blood and urine) from hospitals/medical facilities as well as package, label, and secure specimens for transport to the Medical Examiner's Office Toxicology Laboratory. Maintain documented chain of custody for court purposes and per NAME standards. Enter specimens in MCMEO case management system.
• Lift, turn, and move bodies, in possibly odd positions or locations, to thoroughly examine and document in detail any anomalies to the body using specific medical and forensic terminology. Receive, admit, and secure decedents in the MCMEO while maintaining integrity, identification, and chain of custody. Release decedents to Funeral Homes or other agencies, ensuring proper licensure and documenting chain of custody of the body and personal effects.
• Identify decedent by utilizing scientific methods through fingerprints, dental records, radiographs, and DNA samples. Obtain fingerprints from decedents using ink, powder, and skilled photography methods when finger quality is degraded. Obtain skilled, detailed full mouth postmortem dental x-rays for forensic pathologists or forensic odontologist to compare with antemortem dental records/x-rays.
• Conduct in person and by phone interviews with witnesses, family members, physicians, legal representatives, and other health care providers regarding decedents medical history and circumstances surrounding the death. Document all information in a professional written format. Communicate with proper authorities related to death investigations.
• Refer family members in crisis/distress to appropriate agencies, communicate about their loved ones, and provide support through the grieving process. Inform families of preliminary autopsy findings and final cause and manner of death.
• Inventory and safeguard personal property and evidence of decedents and facilitate the release to proper authorities while maintaining chain of custody standards.
• Investigate requests for cremation by conducting external examination of bodies, photographs, and fingerprint the decedent. Issue cremation permits after reviewing death certificates, cause and manner of death, medical records, and/or interviews. Testify at inquest or in court as to investigative findings and investigative reports generated.
• Nature of work frequently requires irregular, unpredictable, or particularly long hours as the investigative staff is present in the office 24/7 (i.e., overtime/double shifts/mandatory assignments). Mandatory assignments are dispensed on a fair and even basis amongst the MDI staff. The MDIs are essential personnel to the MCMEO and must report for scheduled shifts even when the County Executive closes County operations.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current resident of the state of Wisconsin required.
• Valid Wisconsin driver's license required.
• American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigation certification is required within one (1) year of hire; must maintain certification and participate in continuing education throughout employment.
• Bachelor's degree in medical, forensic science, criminal justice, or closely related field required.
• At least one (1) year of experience performing medical, criminal, or civil investigation and investigative report writing required.
• Candidates with a masters degree or higher in the medical, forensic science, criminal justice, or closely related field with no experience will also be considered.
• Advanced experience using Microsoft Office Software, specifically Word and Excel required.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 100lbs; push and pull up to 150lbs on a regular basis required.
• This position requires a criminal background check; felony and some misdemeanor convictions would be a barrier to employment.

Note: The ideal candidate will be adaptable to a fluid work environment, in which pace and caseload can vary. They must be detail oriented and have organizational skills. Individuals should be able to work with others in a collaborative environment to accomplish investigative and other daily tasks as well as maintain a professional demeanor and rapport when working with families and outside agencies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of Forensic Advantage or other Medical Examiner case management system, National Missing and Unidentified Person System (NamUs), TransUnion TLOxp, Hyland Utility Client - OnBase, Ancestry.com, Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) preferred.
• Intermediate knowledge of State Vital Records Information System (SVRIS), Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), ImageTrend (EMS reporting system), DEXIS - Digital Dental X-ray Management System preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of criminal and/or civil investigative procedures; knowledge of the methods, principles and practices of human anatomy and physiology, and medical, legal, and forensic terminology; knowledge of basic photography methods; skill in the use of computer word processing applications; interviewing and report writing skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to handle cadavers; ability to pronounce death; ability to lift and transfer bodies; ability to hear and see to perform work safely; ability to stand, sit or move for long periods of time; ability to perform physically demanding investigations; ability to work in an environment which may include unpleasant sights, sounds and smells; ability to communicate with law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, health care providers, families, funeral directors, the news media and the general public; and ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others.

NOTE: This ORIGINAL APPLICATION is open to qualified residents of the State of Wisconsin at the time of application. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.