Forensic pathology is a sub-specialty of pathology that focuses on determining

the cause of death by examining a corpse. The autopsy is performed by a medical

examiner, usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in
some jurisdictions. Coroners and medical examiners are also frequently asked to confirm
the identity of a corpse. Also see forensic medicine.
The word forensics is derived from the Latin fornsis meaning forum.[1]
Contents
[hide]

1 Scope of forensic pathology

2 Investigation of death
o 2.1 Terminology is not consistent across jurisdictions
o 2.2 Canadian coroners
o 2.3 Coroners and medical examiners in the United States
3 History
4 Education
o 4.1 Australia
o 4.2 Canada
o 4.3 India
o 4.4 Indonesia
o 4.5 United Kingdom
o 4.6 United States
5 See also
6 Notes and references
7 Further reading
8 External links
o 8.1 Becoming a pathologist

Scope of forensic pathology[edit]

Forensic pathology is an application of medical jurisprudence. The forensic pathologist:

Is a medical doctor who has completed training in anatomical pathology and who has
subsequently sub-specialized in forensic pathology. The requirements for becoming
a "fully qualified" forensic pathologist varies from country to country. Some of the
different requirements are discussed below.

Performs autopsies/postmortem examinations to determine the cause of death. The

autopsy report contains an opinion about :
The pathologic process, injury, or disease that directly results in or initiates a
series of events that lead to a person's death (also called mechanism of death),
such as a bullet wound to the head, exsanguination caused by a stab wound,
manual or ligature strangulation,myocardial infarction resulting from coronary
artery disease, etc.), and

The "manner of death", the circumstances surrounding the cause of death, which
in most jurisdictions include:[2]
Homicide
Accidental
Natural
Suicide
Undetermined

The autopsy also provides an opportunity for other issues raised by the death to be
addressed, such as the collection of trace evidence or determining the identity of the
deceased.

Examines and documents wounds and injuries, both at autopsy and occasionally in a
clinical setting.

Collects and examines tissue specimens under the microscope (histology) in order to
identify the presence or absence of natural disease and other microscopic findings
such as asbestos bodies in the lungs or gunpowder particles around a gunshot
wound.

Collects and interprets toxicological analyses on body tissues and fluids to determine
the chemical cause of accidental overdoses or deliberate poisonings.

Forensic pathologists also work closely with the medico-legal authority for the area
concerned with the investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths i.e. the coroner
(England and Wales), procurator fiscal (Scotland) or coroner or medical examiner
(United States).

Serves as an expert witness in courts of law testifying in civil or criminal law cases.

In an autopsy, he/she is often assisted by an autopsy/mortuary technician (sometimes

called a diener in the USA).
Forensic physicians, sometimes referred to as 'forensic medical examiners' or 'police
surgeons' (in the UK until recently), are medical doctors trained in the examination of,
and provision of medical treatment to, living victims of assault (including sexual assault)
and those individuals who find themselves in police custody. Many forensic physicians in
the UK practise clinical forensic medicine part-time, whilst they also practise family
medicine, or another medical specialty.
In the United Kingdom, Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists is not a
prerequisite of appointment as a Coroner's Medical Expert, i.e. doctors in the UK that are
not forensic pathologists or pathologists are allowed to perform medicolegal autopsies,
simply because of the vague wording of 'The Coroners Act', which merely stipulates a
'suitably qualified medical practitioner', i.e. anyone on the GMC Register.

Investigation of death[edit]
Main article: Coroner
Deaths where the known cause and those considered unnatural are investigated. In
most jurisdictions this is done by a "forensic pathologist", coroner, medical examiner, or
hybrid medical examiner-coroner offices.

Terminology is not consistent across jurisdictions[edit]

In some jurisdictions, the title of "Medical Examiner" is used by a non-physician, elected
official involved in medicolegal death investigation. In others, the law requires the
medical examiner to be a physician, pathologist, or forensic pathologist.
Similarly, the title "coroner" is applied to both physicians and non-physicians. Historically,
coroners were not all physicians (most often serving primarily as the town mortician).
However, in some jurisdictions the title of "Coroner" is exclusively used by physicians.

Canadian coroners[edit]
In Canada, there is a mix of coroner and medical examiner systems, depending on the
province or territory. In Ontario, coroners are licensed physicians, usually but not
exclusively family physicians. In Quebec, there is a mix of medical and non-medical
coroners, whereas in British Columbia, there is predominantly a non-physician coroner
system. Alberta and Nova Scotia are examples of ME systems

[3][4]

Coroners and medical examiners in the United States[edit]

In the United States, a coroner is typically an elected public official in a particular
geographic jurisdiction who investigates and certifies deaths. The vast majority of
coroners lack aDoctor of Medicine degree and the amount of medical training that they
have received is highly variable, depending on their profession (e.g. law enforcement,
judges, funeral directors, emergency medical technicians, nurses).
In contrast, a medical examiner is typically a physician who holds the degree of Doctor of
Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Ideally, a medical examiner has completed
both a pathology residency and a fellowship in forensic pathology. In some jurisdictions,
a medical examiner must be both a doctor and a lawyer, with additional training in
forensic pathology.

History[edit]
In German-speaking Europe, lectures on forensic pathology were regularly held
in Freiburg in the mid 18th century and Vienna in 1804. Scientists like Auguste Ambroise

Tardieu,Johann Ludwig Casper and Carl Liman made great effort to develop forensic
pathology into a science based on empirics.
Forensic pathology was first recognized in the United States by the American Board of
Pathology in 1959.[5]
In Canada, it was formally recognized in 2003,[6][7] and a formal training program (a
fellowship) is currently being established under the auspices of the Royal College of
Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.[8]

Education[edit]
Forensic pathology is a subspecialty of anatomical pathology. Training requirements
differ from country to country.

Australia[edit]
There are currently three paths to qualify as a forensic pathologist in Australia. The first
is to train solely in forensic pathology (although a significant amount of anatomical
pathology knowledge is still required) and pass two examinations for forensic pathology
only. The second is to commence training in anatomical pathology, and complete an
initial anatomical pathology examination, which takes a minimum of three years; then go
on to train solely in forensic pathology and complete a forensic pathology examination,
which takes a minimum of two years. The third is to complete a minimum 5 years'
training in anatomical pathology to qualify as a fellow in anatomical pathology, then
complete a post-fellowship year in forensic pathology (a minimum twelve months further
training plus successful completion of an examination).[9]

Canada[edit]
In Canada,[10] anatomical pathology is a five year residency. Residents who wish to
become forensic pathologists must then complete a one year fellowship in forensic
pathology. Forensic pathology is a subspecialty by the Royal College of Physicians and
Surgeons. Two schools that have training programs are the University of Toronto and
McMaster University.

India[edit]
In India, the speciality is commonly referred to as Forensic Medicine or Legal Medicine.
After completion of medical graduation (MBBS), one has to complete three years of
study and training including thesis research, which leads to award of degree of MD
(Forensic Medicine). One can also alternately pass the board examination conducted
by National Board of Examinations, leading to awarding of Diplomate of National Board
(DNB).

The majority of the specialists are attached to the Department of Forensic Medicine in
various medical colleges. The classification of posts includes Assistant Professor
(Lecturer), Associate Professor (Reader) and Professor. The work profile of the
specialists includes conducting autopsies and clinical forensic examinations; apart from
teaching the medical students. They have to regularly appear in the courts as expert
witnesses. A typical department in a government institution conducts 100 to 5000
autopsies a year depending upon the jurisdiction. Apart from this the clinical forensic
examinations constitute a major part of the work and number of cases can run up to
10000 a year in an average institution.
The largest association of the specialty is Indian Academy of Forensic
Medicine [1] (IAFM), which also publishes its quarterly Journal of Indian Academy of
Forensic Medicine[2] regularly. This association has a specialist member strength of
more than 1000.

Indonesia[edit]
In Indonesia, forensic medicine, also known as legal medicine ("kedokteran kehakiman"),
is a 3-year specialty program that can be taken directly after completing medical school.
It is separate from anatomical pathology and clinical pathology. Upon completion of the
program, a forensic medicine specialist will obtain the title Spesialis Forensik, or Sp.F.
He or she may be addressed in public as Dokter Forensik ("forensic doctor"). Note that
there is no pre-medicine program, making the total duration of formal education for one
to become a forensic specialist 8 years.
Forensic medicine is also a mandatory round during medical school clerkship. Medical
students assist the doctors on autopsies, and they may also be allowed to perform an
autopsy under supervision, and to witness in the court.