Job prospects are excellent for forensic pathologists. Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development
Most newly qualified forensic pathologists are likely to find jobs most easily in hospitals or medical schools or other state controlled facilities, which is valuable experience before choosing to work for other organizations such as private group practices. There are also private group practices that contract autopsy services out to government agencies. The majority of jobs available are working in hospitals or medical schools, or for the federal government. The final step is to take an exam leading to board certification. This is followed by four or five years training in forensic pathology, after which it’s necessary to do a one-year residency, or fellowship in forensics pathology. They must then spend a further four years in medical school completing an MD or DO degree. Forensic pathologists must first spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree in any major that allows them to go on to medical school. The education and training to become a forensic pathologist is extremely rigorous and long, and it takes a minimum of 13 years training after high school to qualify and become board certified. Forensic pathologists need to be able to clearly explain forensic evidence and must be able to defend this evidence in court. This role for forensic pathologists is becoming increasingly important.Īnyone wishing to become a forensic pathologist has to have a natural curiosity about the pathology of the human body, and must also be good at communicating with others, as forensic pathologists are frequently required to work closely with law enforcement agencies. Not all forensic pathologists examine the dead, as clinical forensic pathologists examine living patients, and are usually required in cases where sexual assault or abuse has occurred. Once a forensic pathologist or medical examiner has all the information they can prepare a written report, and may also be required to testify in court. Depending on the cause of death, it may be necessary to perform firearms or ballistics tests.
These can include collecting trace evidence from the body and also performing toxicology screens as well as blood analysis and DNA testing. A forensic pathologist is ultimately responsible for determining the cause of death.Īlthough this may initially involve performing an autopsy on the body and examining the medical history of the deceased, the forensic pathologist also has to take into account a number of other sources of information. Forensic pathologists are specially trained doctors who examine the bodies of people who died violently or unexpectedly, or whose cause of death is unknown.
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