The lay death investigator: in search of a common ground

This report provides information on the status of 582 lay death investigators, representing 76 of 133 major death investigation jurisdictions in the U.S. and Canada to whom surveys were sent. Information was collected with respect to numbers employed, duties performed, educational and experiential backgrounds, training opportunities, and perceived requirements for future investigators. Duties most common among investigators are scene investigation (82%), notification of next of kin (67%), gathering information leading to identifications (73%), handling personal property (73%), and court testimony (69%). Less commonly performed (< 10%) are photography, conducting telephone investigations only (exclusive of scene visits), and providing autopsy support. The investigative workforce is relatively stable, with 30% having been on the job > 10 years and 47% having been employed > 6 years. Employment backgrounds from which past investigators have been drawn are medical-scientific (36%) and law enforcement (26%). On-the-job training was reported as the most common training opportunity available. Educational level of entry-level investigative staff is high school or GED (25%), associate of arts degree (37%), and bachelor's degree (33%). Suggestions are offered as to future educational and professional standards for the field.