Here are your parts
Replacement parts for DW860 models | AppliancePartsPros.com

Here is a service manual
http://www.servicematters.com/m...ibrary/docs/16007822.pdf

The element "looks" OK.
Just because it looks OK does not mean that it is OK. Best to check it with a meter.

Are there thermostats or something else to look at as a culprit before I invest in a new heating element? If so what may they be and where would I locate them in the dishwasher?
See Page 3-16 in the manual

I am an amateur repair guy. Would I be better off calling Maytag?
Cannot say, depends on whether you have the time to repair/check it.

If you do not own a meter, I would suggest you purchase a one. You can get a decent digital multimeter for under $20.00. You do not need fancy though it is nice if the leads are a couple feet long.
If it saves ordering one unnecessary part it has paid for itself and you end up owning a useful tool.
Most places will not let you return electrical parts so if you order it, you own it.
A couple things to watch when measuring ohms and continuity
1. Always remove power from the machine otherwise you could blow your meter.
2. Always disconnect at least one side of any device you are checking. This eliminates the possibility of measuring an alternate/parallel circuit path.
3. When checking for closed contacts and continuity use the lowest scale (Usually 200 ohms). Then try higher scales. This scale is 0 to 200 ohms so if the device you are measuring is 300 ohms this scale would show an open circuit which it is not, you are just measuring outside the scale's dynamic range.

There is a good STICKY at the start of this forum about it's use.