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Forensic Death Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Medical Examiner

Phoenix, AZ · Hybrid

$240K - $306K/yr

Successful applicants will be expected to direct medicolegal death investigations, perform postmortem examinations in compliance with the National Association of Medical Examiners (N.A.M.E.) Forensic ...

Medical Examiner

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$240K - $306K/yr

Successful applicants will be expected to direct medicolegal death investigations, perform postmortem examinations in compliance with the National Association of Medical Examiners (N.A.M.E.) Forensic ...

Medical Examiner

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$240K - $306K/yr

Successful applicants will be expected to direct medicolegal death investigations, perform postmortem examinations in compliance with the National Association of Medical Examiners (N.A.M.E.) Forensic ...

Forensic Pathologist

Modesto, CA · On-site

$175.74 - $263.60/hr

... of death investigation; Procedures, techniques, and equipment utilized in forensic medicine, including medico-legal autopsy, forensic toxicology, ballistic/firearms examination, trace evidence ...

Showing results 41-60

Forensic Death Investigator information

See salary details

$33K

$77.4K

$133K

How much do forensic death investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic death investigator in the United States is $77,448.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $89,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a forensic death investigator?

Forensic death investigators are professionals who examine deaths that occur under unusual, suspicious, or unexplained circumstances. They work closely with medical examiners, law enforcement, and other forensic specialists to determine the cause and manner of death. Their duties often include visiting death scenes, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing detailed reports. Forensic death investigators play a crucial role in criminal investigations and in ensuring that deaths are thoroughly and accurately examined.

What is required to be a forensic death investigator?

To become a forensic death investigator, candidates typically need a background in criminal justice, forensic science, or a related field, along with experience in death scene investigation. Certification from professional organizations and knowledge of medical terminology, evidence collection, and report writing are often required. Some positions may also require a valid driver's license and the ability to work irregular hours or in challenging environments.

How much do forensic death investigators make?

Forensic death investigators typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications. They often work in morgues or medical examiner offices, utilizing skills in pathology and crime scene analysis. Salaries can increase with advanced training and years of service.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic death investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Death Investigator, you need a strong background in forensic science, criminal justice, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree and specialized training. Proficiency with crime scene analysis tools, evidence collection protocols, and case management systems is essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for accurately interpreting evidence and working with law enforcement and legal professionals. These skills and qualifications ensure precise, unbiased investigations that contribute to accurate determinations of cause and manner of death.

What are some common challenges faced by forensic death investigators during the course of an investigation?

Forensic Death Investigators often encounter challenging situations such as working in emotionally charged environments, dealing with unpredictable schedules, and managing exposure to distressing scenes. They must maintain objectivity while collecting evidence, accurately documenting findings, and communicating with both law enforcement and grieving families. Additionally, they must stay current with evolving forensic technologies and adhere to strict legal and ethical guidelines to ensure that their findings are admissible in court.

What does a forensic death investigator do?

The job duties of a medicolegal or forensic death investigator are to examine a body and the place of death and determine a cause of death. In this career, your responsibilities include coming to a conclusion about the cause of death and collecting and cataloging evidence for legal purposes. A forensic death investigator investigates in the field at a crime scene or another place of death. You then bring your findings back to a laboratory to perform relevant tests that aid in your investigations.

What cities are hiring for Forensic Death Investigator jobs? Cities with the most Forensic Death Investigator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Forensic Death Investigator jobs? The most popular types of Forensic Death Investigator jobs are:
What states have the most Forensic Death Investigator jobs? States with the most job openings for Forensic Death Investigator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Forensic Death Investigator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,448 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist)

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Decatur, GA

$260K - $280K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Description This is a sensitive government position. Please review the GBI Employment Disqualifiers before applying for this position. Employment for the selected candidate(s) is contingent upon the successful completion of a GBI background investigation including criminal, credit and driver's history checks, polygraph examination, fingerprinting and drug screening.

The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI. The State Medical Examiner's Office, within the Division of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is seeking qualified applicants to fill the Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) position at the GBI Coastal Regional Laboratory in Pooler, Georgia.

The successful applicant will join a system that encompasses two regional medical examiner offices located in Pooler (Savannah) and Dry Branch (Macon), Georgia, in addition to the headquarters facility, located in Decatur, Georgia [Atlanta]. Collectively, these three offices provide complete forensic pathology services to 154 of the 159 counties in Georgia. In addition to the listed salary, the selected applicant will be paid an additional $50,000/yr.

locality pay that will be paid out semi-monthly in addition to the annual salary. The locality pay is valid only if the selected applicant is working at the Coastal Regional Laboratory in Pooler, GA. The State Medical Examiner's Office has a total of 19 medical examiners throughout the state, when fully staffed, including two (2) board-certified pediatric pathologist staffed at headquarters.

This office also operates the Child Abuse Investigative Support Center, which provides consultative services to law enforcement, district attorneys, the Division of Family and Children's Services, and other agencies, where inflicted injury is suspected in living children. The Coastal Regional Laboratory in Pooler, GA performs approximately 725 autopsies per year. The Coastal Regional Laboratory medical examiner's staff currently has funding for two (2) Medical Examiner positions and currently has an in-house support staff of four (4) death investigations specialists (cross-trained medicolegal death investigators and autopsy technicians) and one (1) administrative assistant.

The average caseload per pathologist, when fully staffed, is between 225-275 cases (not autopsy equivalents) per year. This office is located within the GBI Coastal Regional Crime Laboratory, which include on-site Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Firearms Analysis, and Forensic Toxicology. The statewide GBI Crime Laboratory also includes Forensic Impressions and Trace Evidence.

The Pooler Medical Examiner's Office features a Lodox x-ray scanner and a BodyTom mobile CT scanner for in-house advanced imaging. The statewide Medical Examiner's Office has access to ABFA certified anthropology, ABFO certified forensic odontology, and Forensic Entomology consultants, as well as neuropathology and other specialized pathology consultations through the local hospital systems. Pooler is a city in Chatham County and it is about 10 miles from Savannah, GA along interstates 95 & 16.

Savannah, Georgia is situated among several waterways and is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Tybee Island. Savannah is well known and adored for its natural beauty, coastal cuisine, historic architecture, and attractions. Savannah charms its residents and visitors with its endearing quirks and unparalleled Southern hospitality.

The rich culture and history of Savannah are carefully preserved and intermingled with a hip lifestyle that appeals to newcomers and locals across generations. Many have found that Savannah is has the ideal amenities to settle for and a great place to call home. Learn more at: http://www.savannahchamber.com/ or http://www.savannah.com/

The GBI Medical Examiner's Office is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners. To learn more about the GBI Medical Examiner's Office, visit http://gbi.georgia.gov/medical-examiners-office. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)

Job Duties DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Associate Medical Examiner (Forensic Pathologist) performs medicolegal autopsies under the provisions of the Georgia Death Investigation Act; generates examination reports for dissemination in a timely and efficient manner; provides expert courtroom and deposition testimony in judicial proceedings; and consults with law enforcement agencies and attorneys who work within the criminal system. The Associate Medical Examiner may perform other duties as directed by the Chief Medical Examiner. Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Medical Doctor licensed to practice medicine in the state of Georgia or the ability to obtain Georgia licensure as required by state law AND Successful completion of an Anatomic Pathology residency and Forensic Pathology fellowship from an accredited institution AND Board certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology OR Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology.

AND Board certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Pathology in Forensic Pathology. CONDITION(S) OF EMPLOYMENT Selected candidates who have not yet achieved board certification in Forensic Pathology must sit for and successfully pass the board certification examination in Forensic Pathology at the earliest available administration upon becoming eligible. Failure to sit for and/or successfully pass the Forensic Pathology Board exam will result in an evaluation of continued employment.

Selected candidate must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the business which may require working weekends and/or holidays. Selected candidate must also be available to receive and respond to telephone inquiries from home, while acting in an on-call status. Supplemental Information SALARY AND BENEFITS The salary range for the position is $260,000-$280,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

Advancement within the salary structure is commensurate with cumulative experience and achievement of full board certification for those who are hired but not yet fully board certified. The starting salary is commensurate with board certification status and work experience: From date of completion of Forensic Pathology Fellowship through the 5th full year of postgraduate employment, w/o board certification, the salary will be: $260,000.00 per year. From date of completion of Forensic Pathology Fellowship through the 5th full year of postgraduate employment, with AP & FP board certification, the salary will be: $270,000.00 per year

From the beginning of the 6th postgraduate year forward, w/AP & FP board certification, the salary will be: $280,000.00 per year. In addition to the listed salary, the selected applicant will be paid an additional $50,000/yr. locality pay that will be paid out semi-monthly in addition to the annual salary

The locality pay is valid only if the selected applicant is working at the Coastal Regional Laboratory in Pooler, GA. Advancement within the salary structure is commensurate with cumulative experience, and achievement of full Board Certification status for those who are hired but are not yet fully Board Certified. NEW - GEORGIA MEDICAL EXAMINER LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM The Georgia Medical Examiner Loan Repayment Program is now available to qualified licensed physicians working as full-time Medical Examiners with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Recipients must agree to work full-time, on or after January 1, 2023, for GBI as a Medical Examiner for an opportunity to have a portion of their student loan debt to be paid through this loan repayment program. Loan repayment begins after twelve consecutive months of qualified employment. Qualified Medical Examiners may receive up to five years of student loan repayment for five years of employment with the GBI's Division of Forensic Science Medical Examiner's Office.

Graduated loan repayment award amounts are based on eligible participating year in the repayment program: First year maximum amount is $12,000 Second year maximum amount is $18,000 Third year maximum amount is $24,000 Fourth year maximum amount is $30,000 Fifth year maximum amount is $36,000 The maximum limit is $120,000 with five years of qualifying employment. GBI offers a generous benefits package. Employees earn vacation time and sick leave and are granted 13 paid holidays each year.

There are a variety of benefit options to choose from, including vision, dental, health and life insurance. We also offer an employee retirement plan and deferred compensation options. Competitive benefits package: Medical, dental, and vision coverage Annual vacation, sick, and education leave 13 paid holidays Employee retirement plan Deferred compensation options Conference allowance Reimbursement of all GA licensure and board certification fees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer Georgia Medical Examiner Loan Repayment Program * The GBI reserves the right to close this job announcement once a qualified applicant pool has been identified.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or by e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Applicants who are not selected for an interview will not receive notification.

The GBI follows the Federal statute regarding illegal drug use and is a drug-free workplace. Although some states have legalized recreational drug use, applicants who currently use illegal drugs or controlled substances will be subject to disqualification from employment with the GBI Applicants must present a professional image during all phases of the GBI hiring process, to include when interviewing, either in-person or virtually. The attire and appearance of applicants interviewing must be what is generally accepted as both professional and appropriate for a business work environment.

Foreign Education: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. This evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation that includes each completed course/subject and the U.S

credit equivalent. Applicants must submit a copy of the credential evaluation as part of the application process. For a listing of services that can perform this evaluation, see the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website at http://www.naces.org/members.htm

THE GBI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER