To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Brian Hunter MD
title
RE: Approval of a request to create, post & fill one (1) Scene Investigator position at Genesee County's Medical Examiner
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a request to create, post & fill one (1) Scene Investigator position at Genesee County's Medical Examiner
BACKGROUND:
The Medical Examiner’s Office is charged with determining the cause and manner of death for individuals whose death is due to trauma or whose cause of death is unknown based on medical history and scene investigation. A large part of the scene investigation is the follow up that is conducted after the investigator leaves the scene. This scene investigator position will primarily work in the office contacting physicians, hospitals, law enforcement and families of deceased persons to gather pertinent information surround the circumstances of death, obtain medical records and law enforcement reports. This position will also back-up the primary scene investigator should multiple requests for service come in at the same time.
DISCUSSION:
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
On boarding of a new employee
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Will use funds that are no longer being used for a contract. A budget amendment will be processed in a separate request to move funds in the budget from non-personnel to salaries and fringes once a start date is known.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
Procurement of department cell phone and onboarding of a new employee
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
One of the primary responsibilities of a Medical Examiner's Office is to investigate and determine the cause of death in cases where the cause of death is unknown, or the death is due to trauma. This information is vital for public health surveillance and identifying potential threats to community health and safety, such as contagious diseases or public health emergencies. Creation of a full-time position creates a consistent long-term position that will improve collaborative relationships with law enforcement and public health agencies.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Medical Examiner to authorize establishing, posting, and filling one Scene Investigator position, said new position being responsible for scene investigation follow-up in the office and to back up the Primary Scene Investigator when needed, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documentation being on file with the official records of the December 4, 2024 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board).