Coroners Investigations Officer

Service Care Solutions are looking for a Coroners Investigations Officer to work within the Merseyside Police on a 12-month contract.

**Location**: Sefton, St. Helens and Knowsley

**Job roles/responsibilities**:
Investigate sudden, suspicious, unnatural, or violent deaths, and all deaths of persons in custody or state detention on behalf of the Senior Coroners, to ensure that they can discharge their statutory duties.
- Collate, organise, and manage evidence for reported deaths, aiding coroners in informed decisions. Conduct interviews, research, and suggest data access solutions for inquests.
- Facilitate post-mortem arrangements, briefing pathologists on medical history. Coordinate forensic testing per Human Tissues Act.
- Establish and maintain relationships with pertinent agencies and organisations for a seamless coroner process.
- Support grieving families with timely advice, information, and viewing arrangements.
- Offer clear guidance to medical professionals, stakeholders, and citizens, ensuring compliance with inquest procedures and laws.
- Manage inquest arrangements, notifying parties, scheduling, and documentation preparation.
- Provide specialised training internally and externally on death-related matters.
- Represent on external panels like Child Death Overview Panels and Merseyside Resilience Forum.
- Investigate found treasure trove items, liaising with the British Museum, and arranging inquests.
- Oversee inquests at court, guide families through certification and inquest stages.
- Manage information, data quality, sharing, and security following NPCC Guidance.

**Knowledge/Experience required**:

- Education: NVQ level 4 or equivalent, vital for producing comprehensive legal reports involving intricate analysis.
- Qualifications: Possess the University Certificate in Professional Development in Coroners Law and Bereavement or attend Chief Coroner-directed training.
- Experience: Proven investigative background, familiarity with evidential requirements.
- Medical Understanding: Proficient in medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, engaging with medical professionals and conveying causes of death.
- Investigative Skills: Capable of conducting thorough investigations, including sourcing, and analysing information for accurate preliminary reports.
- Complex Cases: Skilled at handling extensive information, interpreting policy, particularly for intricate cases involving Article 2 of Human Rights Act.
- Stakeholder Management: Manage relationships with high-level stakeholders and bereaved families, requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Communication: Provide clear explanations on post-mortems, cause of death, and material retention, tailored to individual cases.
- Cultural Awareness: Understand cultural and religious impacts on death procedures.
- Decision Balancing: Provide information for informed decisions while avoiding attempting to counsel.
- Mass Fatality Preparedness: Familiar with Major Incident and Temporary Mortuary Contingency Plans, serving as a communication link.
- Legal Compliance: Knowledgeable about relevant legislation, Chief Coroner guidance, and police policies.
- Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office, internet use, electronic tools, and Coroner databases.