forensic pathologist
Forensic Pathologist
Though a well-paying career, the journey to becoming a forensic pathologist is long. Here, we provide an overview of what working in this field entails, and what to expect when you decide to take it up as your career path.
- The prime responsibility of a forensic pathologist is to determine the cause and manner of the death of a person. This they do by running a series of medical tests on the corpse.
- In case of death by a criminal act, a forensic pathologist is required to travel to the crime scene to collect evidence of the event in which a person has died. Usually, this happens in case of homicide and sexual assault.
- After this, the pathologist may also be required to reconstruct the situation in which the death may have occurred, to determine the cause of the death.
- They will then examine physical evidence of the corpse in a laboratory, and perform an autopsy to confirm the cause or manner of death. This autopsy may reveal the death of a person due to disease, poisoning, or any other internal injury.
- To perform an autopsy, they will be required to carry out various types of investigations on the body which will require knowledge of toxicology, radiology, and other such fields. For this they will collaborate with other medical professionals such as those in the field of forensic toxicology, forensic odontologists or dentists, and other professionals as required.
- Finally, after all research, a forensic pathologist may be utilized as an expert witness in court, which is why, it is essential for one to have excellent communication skills.
- Training begins with pursuing an undergraduate degree from a reputed college. While keeping in mind that you have to attend medical school after you obtain a degree, it is important that you choose appropriate majors in college. Based on the medical school you are applying for, the specific majors will be explained to you. Basically, science and mathematics will form the core of your course. It would be great if you also chose a minor in management skills, which will teach you not only the basics of management, but also the art of effective communication, which is an essential in this field. Keeping the medical school you want to go to in mind, you will have to pursue the right majors along with various extracurricular activities that will give you an edge over other applicants.
- The next step is getting into medical school, which indeed is a tough task. Once you get through, if it offers electives in forensic pathology, ensure that you take it. Not all medical schools do so, but fortunately, an elective in forensic pathology is not necessary.
- The next step is a residency in a hospital or university, which is where you will begin to become familiar with forensic pathology. A residency is where you will learn about anatomical pathology (the basic requirement to become a forensic pathology, and where you will be able to choose to learn about clinical pathology. Overall, this period will range anywhere between 4-5 years.
- A one year fellowship follows a residency, which you should take up in a city that has scope for this field. A residency provides thorough experience while working under a qualified forensic pathologist. Experts in this field suggest that you should choose to work in a place that performs a minimum of 200-250 autopsies in one year.
- Finally, to become a qualified forensic pathologist, you will have to clear an exam conducted by the American Board of Pathology. This may take time, as it is not easy to pass this examination for certification. Further, it is also an expensive procedure.