Performance Training Guidebook Checklist

Medicolegal Death Investigators have standards of practice that require performance of specialized, technical skills, e.g., initial body examination at the scene, drawing postmortem specimens for analysis, etc. There are many specialized procedures that are fundamental and are necessary to perform a thorough medicolegal death investigation. Proof that an individual is experienced in correctly performing these tasks is required to show his/her competency. Successful performance of all 300+ tasks identified in the checklist must be verified in writing by a competent practitioner working in the field who has personal knowledge that the applicant can perform the task independently and correctly (the above PDF document shows the 300 tasks condensed into 52 categories).

You may have as many people as necessary sign off on the Checklist showing that you have completed the tasks. You must also go through hands-on training to complete the checklist, for example:

• Actual death scene field work experience including body evaluation at the death scene and producing appropriately documented reports of death
• Autopsy lab including body evaluation and drawing specimens
• Role-play (creating scenarios that address training issues including mock scenes, etc.)
• Other forensic lab work involving anthropology, odontology, postmortem evaluation, medical record review, etc.

(NOTE: It is understood that some jurisdictions do not perform certain identified tasks due to statute, policy or procedure. However, that does not preclude an applicant from receiving appropriate training in that area. If such issues arise, the applicant is encouraged to contact ABMDI for direction to determine how to best satisfy those specific requirements.)

When the entire checklist is completed at an independent level, the back cover should be notarized and returned to the ABMDI office for processing.