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Death Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

State of Maryland

FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$51K - $65K/yr

Three years of experience investigating the circumstances of death at death scene incidents. Notes : 1. Candidates may substitute the possession of an Associate of Arts degree in Health Sciences ...

Travis County

ME Investigator I

Austin, TX

$64K - $72K/yr

Performs death scene investigations by attending the scene, interviewing and cooperating with various law enforcement and government agencies, family and friends of the decedent. Photographs the ...

Harris County

Forensic Investigator

Houston, TX

$33K/yr

Vision To provide consistent, quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community. To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate ...

Anoka County, MN

Office Investigator

Midwest, WY · Hybrid

$25.97 - $35.05/hr

Position Description As an Office Investigator, you perform medicolegal death investigations following MN Statute 390.11, Department of Justice Guidelines 149a, National Association of Medical ...

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Death Investigator information

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$32K

$75.3K

$131K

How much do death investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for death investigator in the United States is $75,325.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to get a job in death investigation?

To become a death investigator, typically you need a background in criminal justice, forensic science, or a related field, along with relevant experience such as law enforcement or medical examiner training. Certification or specialized training in forensic investigation can enhance job prospects, and positions often require working in a forensic or medical environment with attention to detail and strong analytical skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Death Investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Death Investigator, you need a strong understanding of forensic science, criminal justice, and anatomy, typically supported by a relevant degree and specialized training. Familiarity with evidence collection tools, case management systems, and sometimes certification from organizations like the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) is common. Keen attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication skills help investigators accurately document findings and coordinate with law enforcement and families. These skills ensure thorough, objective investigations that uphold legal standards and provide closure for affected parties.

What are death investigators and what do they do?

Death investigators are professionals who examine the circumstances, causes, and manner of deaths that occur under unusual, suspicious, or unexplained circumstances. They work closely with law enforcement, medical examiners, and forensic pathologists to gather information from death scenes, interview witnesses, and review medical histories. Their job is to determine whether a death was due to natural causes, an accident, suicide, or homicide, and to provide crucial evidence for legal and public health purposes. Death investigators may work for government agencies, medical examiner offices, or coroner systems.

What is the highest paid investigator?

The highest paid investigators are often federal agents such as FBI Special Agents or criminal investigators, with salaries reaching over $100,000 annually, especially with experience and specialized skills. Senior investigators in private sectors or corporate security can also earn high salaries, depending on their expertise and the complexity of cases they handle.

What Does a Death Investigator Do?

A death investigator or medicolegal investigator works for a coroner or medical examiner’s office. Your responsibilities in this career revolve around helping the coroner or ME determine the cause of death of a person. Typically, your duties are to report to the scene of a death and assist with the forensic investigation. You investigate the scene and collaborate with law enforcement and medical professionals, but you ensure that you remain independent in your investigation. Additionally, in some jurisdictions, your responsibilities include informing the family of the deceased.

What is the difference between Death Investigator vs Medical Examiner?

AspectDeath InvestigatorMedical Examiner
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles require forensic or criminal justice trainingMedical degree (MD or DO), pathology residency, board certification
Work EnvironmentCrime scenes, morgues, officesHospitals, morgues, courtrooms
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement agencies, medical examiner officesCounty or state medical examiner offices, hospitals
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for investigative roles in death casesCompared for medical and autopsy responsibilities

The main difference is that a Death Investigator typically works on crime scenes and initial investigations, often with law enforcement, while a Medical Examiner is a licensed physician who performs autopsies and determines cause of death. Both roles are essential in death investigations but require different qualifications and work environments.

What qualifications do you need to be a death investigator?

To become a death investigator, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with many positions requiring post-secondary education such as an associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, forensic science, or a related field. Relevant experience in law enforcement, forensic science, or medical fields is often required, along with strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Certification or training in forensic investigation or death scene management may also be beneficial.

What are some common challenges faced by Death Investigators during scene investigations?

Death Investigators often encounter challenging environments, such as emotionally charged scenes, difficult weather conditions, and complex circumstances involving multiple agencies. Balancing the need for thorough evidence collection with sensitivity toward grieving families can be demanding. Additionally, they must maintain meticulous documentation and clear communication with law enforcement, medical personnel, and forensic experts to ensure accurate case resolution.

What does a death investigator do?

A death investigator examines deceased individuals to determine the cause and manner of death, often working with law enforcement and medical examiners. They collect evidence, document findings, and may be involved in scene investigations, requiring knowledge of forensic procedures and certification in death investigation or forensic science.
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Death Investigator jobs near you
Deputy Chief Medical Investigator

Deputy Chief Medical Investigator

Johnson County Kansas

Olathe, KS

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!


Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the position of a Deputy Chief Medical Investigator.  This position is located at the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office, 11894 S. Sunset Dr., Olathe, KS 66061. This position provides excellent benefits, including health insurance, wellness programs and discounts, retirement programs, and various other discount programs. 

The Deputy Chief Medical Investigator serves as the secondincommand to the Chief Medical Investigator and functions as a working manager within the Office of the Medical Investigator. This position provides direct leadership, operational support, and supervisory oversight to ensure consistent investigative coverage and highquality service delivery.

The Deputy Chief maintains a regular investigative workload while also supporting administrative and supervisory functions. This role provides primary leadership coverage for evening and night shifts to ensure continuity of operations and ongoing support for staff working outside standard daytime hours. The Deputy Chief may assume the duties of the Chief Medical Investigator as needed.

Responsibilities include supervising and mentoring investigators, providing realtime guidance on complex or sensitive cases, and ensuring adherence to investigative standards and protocols. The Deputy Chief shares oncall responsibilities with the Chief, responding to afterhours questions, providing case consultation, and responding to scenes when additional support is required.

This position plays a key role in maintaining operational readiness, fostering team development, and supporting the overall mission of the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The first review of applicants will begin June 24, 2026.  This position will remain open until filled.

Other duties include:

  • Supervises the Medicolegal Death Investigator positions. Reviews and evaluates the work of their designees; ensuring compliance with all applicable health and safety standards and good laboratory practices; updates and/or develops the skills of the employee by developing, providing or procuring training; motivating and counseling the employee; providing guidance and leadership in constant improvement activities related to medicolegal death investigations; and conducting formal performance evaluations under the guidance of the Chief Medical Investigator. Provide phone support as needed to aid on-duty investigators. 
  • Assists the Chief Medical Investigator in the recruitment, hiring, training and education of other medicolegal death investigators. Conducts PPD reviews and evaluation of Investigator positions. Provide backup and on-call activities, as needed. Conduct quality assurance reviews of investigator reports. Organize and maintain adequate levels of investigator supplies. Manage the maintenance of the vehicles. Assists Chief Medical Investigator in developing and tracking key performance indicators in the Investigations division.
  • Facilitate staffing and scheduling of existing personnel; follows all Johnson County Human Resource policies; maintains American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) training, registry, and/or certification of investigators; participates in advanced training of staff and outside agencies.
  • Assists in developing and maintaining protocol and procedures for investigators; assists in the maintenance of evidence and medications, including disposition in conjunction with the Chief Medical Investigator according to MEO policy; assists with the development of mass fatality plans.
  • Assists with the annual report, in conjunction with DHE Epidemiologist and Medical Examiner.
  • Stays current on knowledge and practices in the field of forensic sciences by attending professional conferences, departmental annual training programs, and by reviewing information obtained from departmental memoranda and staff meetings.
  • Represents the Medical Examiner's Office by attending and presenting at public and governmental meetings or conferences; providing technical education, guidance, and consultation to the department, the community and other agencies.
  • Responds to various death scenes, as needed, and acts as the primary official and/or supervisor on scene; completes a thorough death investigation of all deaths that fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner to included proper handling of the body, scene, evidence, and preparing comprehensive reports; completes interviews of pertinent individuals; and coordinates the dissemination of information to family, friends, law enforcement agencies and the public in accordance with Medical Examiner's Office policies.

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Natural Science Anthropology, Nursing, or any other medically relevant field required. 

American Board of Medicolegal Investigators (ABMDI) Board Certification (Basic) is required upon hire, and an American Board of Medicolegal Investigators (ABMDI) Board Certification (Advanced) is required within six (6) months of hire.      

Eight (8) years experience of forensic medical investigative practices and techniques including proper handling and processing of evidentiary material and knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and working with human remains is required.

Three (3) years leading, directing, supervising, or coordinating the work of others required.   

Must provide TB status and current Hepatitis B vaccination records prior to employment or obtain within six months.

Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Biological Science, Forensic Science, Anthropology, Nursing, or any other medically relevant field preferred. 


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