FORENSIC AUTOPSY TECHNICIAN 44401

07/01/93 C

This is the first class in the Forensic Autopsy Technician series for positions that assist medical examiners, physicians, and pathologists with medicolegal post-mortem autopsy examinations. Positions in this class receive, record, track, and release bodies requiring autopsy testing for cause of death. This class is distinguished from the Autopsy Technician classes by the requirement to assist with autopsies of a medicolegal nature. The class is distinguished from the Forensic Autopsy Technician Senior by the latter classes' responsibility to schedule the work of other technicians, determine inventory of supplies, and oversee maintenance and cleanliness of the autopsy room.

Complexity of Work: Performs forensic autopsy work of moderate complexity assisting with post mortem examinations, collecting and protecting forensic evidence. Assists the medical examiner with opening and closing deceased bodies, removing and weighing organs, taking x-rays, taking chemical samples and examining blood, urine, and other tissues. Work includes cleansing the cadaver and performing other routine medical and forensic procedures for the purpose of identifying a cause of death. Releases the bodies for burial. Other duties include routine maintenance and cleaning of the morgue and ensuring proper security and inventory of morgue supplies.

Supervision Given: Supervision is not a factor; however, positions may provide guidance and training to medical personnel on routine forensic procedures.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner.

Scope: Facilitates work of the medical examiners which results in determining cause of death and may result in criminal prosecution.

Impact of Actions: Work has moderate impact on successful gathering of evidence, especially where police investigations exist. Failure to follow established policies and procedures could result in inaccurate findings, destruction of evidence, or jeopardize the integrity of the post-mortem information.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts with medical personnel, law enforcement officials, funeral directors, and families of deceased on sensitive and important matters in each case.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of autopsy procedures. Working knowledge of law enforcement protocol such as chain of custody, and trace evidence procedures. Working knowledge of human anatomy. Some knowledge of mortuary science.

Skills: Working skill in operating equipment for autopsy procedures, primarily for opening and closing cadavers. Considerable skill in operating x-ray equipment, and cameras. Working skill in record keeping and tracking of deceased bodies.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to work in a highly stressful and highly confidential work setting. Demonstrated ability to assist in the performance of a medical autopsy, often involving decomposed or mutilated body. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a variety of medical and law enforcement officials. Demonstrated ability to lift a human body.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from high school, including technical school training in health sciences or as a Funeral Director.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience requiring working knowledge of anatomy and physical evidence procedures, and chain of custody.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class, which contains some positions in the Autopsy Technician A class, was established effective July 1993.