INTRODUCTION:
This position is located in the Defense Health Agency (DHA) under the policy guidance and direction of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD[HA]) to include supporting the mission of The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES). The DHA is responsible for the effective execution and operation of the Department of Defense (DoD) worldwide medical mission, which is to provide medical services and support to specified categories of individuals entitled to DoD medical care, providing support to the Uniformed Services in the management and administration of TRICARE, administering and managing the Defense Health Program budget and the management direction and control of the military medical treatment facilities.
The mission of the DHA is to serve as a Combat Support Agency and lead the MHS integration of readiness and health to deliver the Quadruple Aim: improved readiness, better health, better care, and lower cost. The DHA Headquarters is geographically located in Falls Church and Arlington, Virginia.
MAJOR DUTIES:
The primary purpose of this position is to provide a Physician who is board certified in Forensic Pathology for a full range of forensic, post-mortem cases, including the most difficult in the specialty, and provide consultative services to other clinicians. The incumbent performs very difficult individual work requiring a high level of professional competence. Incumbent’s advice and decisions have considerable significance to the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) and the Department of Defense (DoD). Incumbent must have particularly outstanding, authoritative, broad, and intensive knowledge of Clinical, Anatomical and Forensic Pathology. Incumbent is recognized for and exercises a high degree of professional leadership in providing service in the specialty area.
1. Conducts and leads forensic pathology investigations under the jurisdictional authorities of 10 USC 1471 and DoDI 5154.30 AFMES in order to determine cause and manner of death in cases of suspicious nature and also to render authoritative scientific identification of remains. Is responsible for medical examination or autopsy of human remains. Takes charge of human remains falling under the jurisdiction of the AFME and directs movement of those remains to an appropriate facility within the area of responsibility.
Performs forensic autopsies which may include external examination, internal examination, partial autopsy, and record review. These examinations may include removal and examination of the major internal organs; organ gross examination, dissection and selection of tissue for histologic examination; examination of histologic slides and ordering of special stains to diagnose natural disease and injury; orders and directs postmortem radiologic examination of human remains and interprets the results of those examinations to diagnose disease and injury. This position is responsible for collecting appropriate samples such as toxicology, microbiology, and genetics, submitting them for testing at the appropriate facilities, and interpreting the result to determine the cause and manner of death.
The Physician will examine material evidence in order to make correlations to assist with diagnosis, cause and manner of death determination and identification of human remains; examines historical reports in order to make correlations with pathologic, anthropologic, dental and archeologic and other findings. Examines ante mortem medical records to include laboratory results, radiology, clinical notes and other reports to correlate death investigation, examination, and autopsy findings with medical history and to diagnose natural disease and injury. When required, the Physician will direct forensic anthropologists to examine and provide scientific reports, interpreting those reports regarding skeletonized remains; for the purpose of human remains association and location of origin; gives appropriate weight to ante mortem and postmortem radiologic comparisons. Directs and interprets the results of forensic odontology examinations and comparisons of ante mortem and postmortem dental remains.
Examines law enforcement reports, forensic scene and autopsy photography, and evidence recovered from relevant locations to assist law enforcement and other investigators with the progress of criminal and identification investigations; Directs and oversees forensic medicolegal death investigator to conduct investigations of deaths within the area of responsibility; directs and oversees forensic photographers to photographically document death scenes, physical evidence, external examination and autopsy findings and directs or performs the collection of appropriate DNA samples for mtDNA, T-STR, and auSTR testing in order to make identifications of historical and current day deaths; directs and oversees the fingerprinting and dental examination of current day death investigations to make identifications.
The Physician directs a mortuary assistant during the entire postmortem examination process; collects evidence under a legal chain of custody to preserve integrity for use in courts of law; and synthesizes a vast amount of complex testing results and other findings into a clear and concise written report. Seeks expert consultation in cardiovascular pathology, pediatric pathology, neuropathology, and other subspecialties as needed. May be required to inspect morgues and mortuaries within the area of responsibility and makes the determination the facilities are properly staffed and equipped and able to support medico legal death investigations within the standard of case as dictated by the AFME.
2. May oversee, perform, or participate in special projects and represent the AFMES in various organizations and venues. Provides feedback on readiness to the field in the area of: Joint Trauma System (JTS), Joint Trauma Analysis and Prevention of Injury in Combat (JTAPIC), HQDA Fatality Review Board, Behind the Armor Blunt Trauma (BABT) and DHA Trauma Services Sub Working Group. Additionally, may provide operational support to NASA, CID cadaveric and scene investigation training, MCIO continues training/collaboration, Central Joint Mortuary Affairs Board, J-4 INDOPACOM Mortuary Affairs Fatality Management, OSD LSCO Planning Working Group, and extended recovery missions. May provide education and training to the following organizations USUHS, Walter Reed National Medical Center Resident Instruction, Brook Army Medical Center, Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, Army Aviation Medicine, Air Force Flight Surgeon and the Army JAG Defense Counsel Assistance Program. Other professional responsibilities are non-AFMES case reviews, care consults, and participation in professional affiliations such as American Forensic Sciences or the National Association of Medical Examiners Board of Directors.
3. Provides expert consultation and consults with clinicians, Hospital and Medical Treatment Facility Commanders, JAG Officers, Military Criminal Investigation Organizations, Military Commanders, accident and safety boards, and line of duty investigators. Provides expert consultation and consults regarding patterned injuries, training accidents, mass casualty exercises, and other cases involving the field of forensic pathology.
4. Participates in Quality Improvement activities in the Medical Examiner Quality Assurance weekly meeting Case Reviews / Consultations are peer reviewed, discussed, and completed. Provides in court testimony and expert opinion, when subpoenaed, for cases falling under the jurisdiction of the AFME. Directs forensic photographers to assist in the preparation of visual court exhibits. Provides in court consultation to the JAG and defense attorney. Observes the testimony of expert witnesses and fact witnesses and renders interpretations and opinions to assist trial attorneys in the advancement of their cases.
Performs other duties as assigned. |