Forensic Pathologists

1. Forensic Pathologists Perform autopsies and diagnose circumstances surrounding the cause and manner of death Determine whether death was Accidental Suicidal Homicidal Page 27Page 27

2. Coroner vs Medical Examiner Coroner: An elected official whose duty is to investigate the death of a person Medical Examiner: An appointed medically qualified officer whose duty is to investigate deaths and bodily injuries that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortems, and sometimes to initiate inquests.

3. Medical Examiner System Many rural areas are still served by elected coroners: some states still have both coroners and medical examiners- confusion still exists

4. Forensic Pathologists Pathologists first began appearing in mid 19th century Use of microscope to examine tissues propelled this study Pathology means: Study of disease, its causes and its diagnosis Page27Page27

5. Training Requirements for a Forensic Pathologist Bachelor degree or equivalent, 4 years Medical school, 4 years, from a recognized allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O) medical school Postgraduate training, 4 years: anatomic pathology or anatomic and clinical pathology One year of training at a large coroner’s or medical examiner’s office required: Intern normally receives pay Page 28Page 28

6. Training Requirements for a Forensic Pathologist After 5 years of postgraduate training, Must pass a 2-4 day examn to become a board certified forensic pathologist There are an estimated 500 forensic pathologists practicing in the United States About 25 pathologists have both medical and legal degrees Page 29Page 29

7. Training Requirements for a Forensic Pathologist Many forensic pathologists also specialize in a certain area, such as: Toxicology Serology Tool mark or Impression evidence Firearms examination Crime scene analysis Forensic Anthropology Forensic Odontology Page 29Page 29

8. Duties of Forensic Pathologists Investigate the deaths of persons who die suddenly and unexpectedly or as a result of injury Normally employed by cities, counties or division of government Some forensic pathologists work as consultants in litigation Page 30Page 30

9. Reviewing Medical History Forensic pathologists deal primarily with determining cause of death, but also review past medical history to understand issues raised by that death Medical history is the starting point of investigation Page 30Page 30

10. Reviewing Medical History When death is reported to coroner or medical examiner, a two pronged test takes place: Is the death sudden? Is the death unexpected? Page 30Page 30

11. Reviewing Medical History To certify cause of death, forensic pathologists must: Determine cause of death based on delayed effects of injury Careful study of medical history to determine causes and manners of death of persons with trauma is required Be able to discern injuries from treatment from emergency personnel- needle marks, incised wounds, etc Page 31Page 31

12. Reviewing Witness Statements Forensic pathologists seek to gather witness information about activities of deceased prior to death, because: Assists in determining jurisdiction of death Assists in recreating circumstances of death Allows use of a hypothesis which can be tested scientifically based on statement of witness Page 32Page 32

13. Autopsy Examination Autopsy means to look at oneself Necropsy means to look at the dead Autopsies have been practiced since the middle ages Term autopsy generally used in United States Page 33Page 33

14. Limitations on Autopsies Middle Eastern religions forbid autopsies Forbidden by Egyptian polytheism (Mummification) Judaism, Islam and Christianity vary in their prohibitions Next of kin may object to autopsy Page 33, 34 ,35 Page 33, 34 ,35

15. Required Autopsy A medical examiner has the legal authority to order an autopsy without permission from family when Sudden or unexpected Results from an injury Under suspicious circumstances Other circumstances defined by law

16. Autopsy Process Incisions created in chest, abdomen and head Removal of organs from those areas of the body T-shaped incision is typically used, because it facilitates examination of tongue and neck p35p35