Intern

Job Description

About the company:

This is an internship program within the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office (SCMEO), a government entity responsible for investigating deaths that fall under its jurisdiction. Spokane County supports internship programs that provide work experience for students in an accredited post-secondary institution that is related to their course of study.

Job Description:

This is an unpaid internship offering students the opportunity to learn about and assist in the work of the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office. Under the supervision of SCMEO staff, interns will develop skills required to perform the duties of a Medical Investigator and/or Autopsy Assistant.

Key Responsibilities and Learning Opportunities:

• Gain familiarity with laws surrounding Medical Examiners and Coroners, learn what cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Medical Examiner and what happens to cases that don’t fall under that jurisdiction.
• Receive notification of deaths from law enforcement and medical facilities, learn what information is required to determine jurisdiction, and determine case jurisdiction based upon the Medical Examiner’s Office standard guidelines.
• Travel to the scene of homicides, suicides, accidental, questionable and/or unattended deaths, perform initial on-scene examination of remains, identify pertinent scene findings to assist the pathologist in determining cause and manner of death, collect information relevant to or related to cause and manner of death.
• Gain familiarity with forensic photography techniques and investigative/medical interview techniques.
• Develop basic knowledge of crime scene investigation, processing and evidence collection techniques.
• Learn which cases need follow-up investigations, practice data gathering skills as required.
• Write complete, accurate and comprehensive investigative reports describing scene circumstances.
• Practice appropriate environmental safety and/or infection control methods, learn about blood/airborne pathogens and universal precautions for personal safety.
• Become familiar with processes required to maintain proper chain of custody for transfer of human remains and any clothing, personal effects, or jewelry that may accompany the remains; learn how bodies are received into and released from the Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Learn how to prepare the body for autopsy, take photographs of examination findings as needed, weigh and measure human remains, suture incisions and clean up body upon completion of autopsy.
• Learn autopsy techniques including basic evisceration and toxicology specimen collection.
• Assist pathologist and/or morgue staff in collecting and handling of trace evidence, physical and biological evidence, and finger and palm prints.
• Learn the processes for ensuring proper handling, transfers, labeling and storing of histological specimens (tissue blocks, slides, etc) and all other samples and items of evidence.
• Become familiar with general and specialized databases to identify next-of-kin, learn the process of locating and contacting next of kin, learn proper documentation of search efforts.
• Review and document personal property, learn techniques for photographic documentation of personal property, learn processes for release and/or disposal of personal property.
• Learn about different imaging modalities used in death investigation; learn how to operate Lodox scanner, CT scanner, and portable XRAY machine; and learn how XRAY images are stored and archived.
• Learn how to review and back up case images, autopsy report, and toxicology report, learn processes for quality assurance of images and data.
• Become familiar with statutes regarding retention of medical examiner/coroner records, learn processes for archiving of case files, review of case files for completeness, redaction of non-medical examiner records.
• Learn processes for identifying unidentified persons, become familiar with National Missing and Unidentified Persons database (NAMUS).
• Learn processes for data entry and quality assurance of autopsy paperwork, specimen tracking, electronic death registration entry (EDRS) and case file review for completeness.

Important Considerations:

• The intern will be exposed to death and trauma, grieving families, and sensitive topics on a daily basis.
• The intern may be exposed to contagious diseases, bodies exhibiting various degrees of decay, mutilation, or infestation, and other biological and environmental hazards.
• The intern will participate in and observe autopsy work, which involves the use of needles and surgical instruments.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be able to show proof of enrollment in an accredited post-secondary institution.
• Must be a Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or graduate standing, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and currently working towards a degree in criminal justice, biological sciences, anthropology, or closely related fields of study.
• Must be able to communicate and work effectively, both orally and in writing, in a multicultural workforce serving a diverse population, in potentially stressful or emotionally charged situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working towards a degree in Forensic Science, and has successfully completed any of the following courses: Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Forensics Practicum, Crime Scene and Medico-legal Death Investigation, and/or Forensic Anthropology.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Must obtain academic credit for the entirety of the internship.
• Must have the physical fitness necessary to travel over difficult terrain, remain standing for several hours, and assist in lifting and maneuvering human remains weighing up to 175 lbs
• Required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement to maintain confidentiality of all information in the course of the Internship.
• Required to successfully pass a background check, including a criminal record background check.

Compensation:

• This is an unpaid internship.

Additional Information:

• Hours are to be determined mutually by the student and Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Workers’ Compensation is not covered by Spokane County. The school authorizing the internship is responsible for coverage.