Open To Work
Pamela Bakken
Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office
Circle Pines,US
Work Preference
Desired Job Title
Medicolegal Death Investigator IIInterim Medicolegal Death InvestigatorMedicolegal Death Investigator IForensic TechnicianWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridLocation:
Circle Pines, USOpen to relocation:
YesImportant To Me
Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CulturePersonal development programsSummary
Dedicated Medicolegal Death Investigator with over 12 years of expertise in forensic examinations and death investigations. Proficient in conducting comprehensive investigations and utilizing advanced interviewing techniques while fostering strong collaborations with law enforcement agencies. Certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) and actively pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer forensics and digital investigations to enhance investigative skills and adapt to evolving technological challenges. Committed to delivering thorough and accurate findings that contribute to justice and public safety.
13
Years of experience
1
Certificate
Work History
Medicolegal Death Investigator II
8 Years 3 Months- Executed duties of Medicolegal Death Investigator I, contributing to case investigations and documentation.
- Developed investigative skills through two years of hands-on experience.
- Achieved and upheld American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Certification, demonstrating commitment to professional standards.
Interim Medicolegal Death Investigator
2 Years 11 Months- Conducted interviews with law enforcement agencies, medical staff and families to determine circumstances of a death scene. Acquired information to make an informed decision on whether a forensic exam was necessary, if the death appeared natural or if further investigation was needed.
- If deemed necessary, I reported to the death scene to do further investigation and transport the deceased for an autopsy. Responsible for photographing evidence, the deceased, and the death scene. If necessary, continued interviews with family and friends, collected medications per office protocol, evidence (i.e. ligatures, suicide notes, firearms, etc.) and prepared the deceased for transport to the office.
- Wrote detailed and accurate reports based on information acquired from call-in reports or from reporting to the scenes. Included the pertinent demographic information along with an easy, fact-based report of how the death was discovered or pronounced by EMS or medical staff.
- Communicated clearly with coworkers if more information was necessary to complete the report.
Medicolegal Death Investigator I
2 Years- Conducted interviews with law enforcement, medical staff, and families to clarify death scene circumstances, enabling informed decisions on forensic exam necessity and further investigation needs.
- Responded to death scenes for investigations and transport of deceased for autopsy, photographing evidence and death scenes, interviewing family and friends, collecting medications per protocol, and preparing deceased for transport.
- Composed detailed reports from call-in information and death scene investigations, ensuring accurate demographic data and factual accounts of death discovery or pronouncement by EMS or medical staff.
Forensic Technician
3 Years 3 Months- Assisted the forensic pathologists with autopsies by removing internal organs, collecting tissue and body fluid specimens, and removing/collecting foreign objects and evidence. Insured evidence collected was secured and proper chain of custody established.
- Collected fingerprints, took x-rays, and removed jaws and teeth per pathologist's instruction for identification purposes.
- Prepared bodies for release to funeral homes by returning internal organs to body cavity, sewing and washing body to maintain dignity and respect.
- Labeled, organized, and stored all retained specimens to ensure proper retention and timely testing as requested by pathologist.
- Cleaned and maintained instruments, equipment, and rooms in the morgue area.
- Prepared the work area for the daily cases.
- Inventoried supplies to ensure that sufficient quantities were maintained.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Computer Forensics and Digital Investigations
Expected graduation 2027
Associate in Science (A.S.) - Histology
Certification
- ABMDI Certification, Registered Member since 2018
- Crisis Intervention Certification, 2026
Timeline
Interim Medicolegal Death Investigator
Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office
06.2023 - 05.2026
Medicolegal Death Investigator II
Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office
05.2018 - Current
Medicolegal Death Investigator I
Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office
05.2016 - 05.2018
Forensic Technician
Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office
02.2013 - 05.2016
Argosy University
Associate in Science (A.S.) from Histology
Champlain College
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) from Computer Forensics and Digital Investigations
Skills
Records management
Law enforcement collaboration
Professional development
Empathetic communication
Active listening
Ethical and honest
Interviewing