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Forensic Pathologists, also known as Medical Examiners, are experts who determine the cause of death for individuals who have died suddenly, unexpectedly or in a violent manner.
Forensic Pathologists work on bodies whose deaths are suspected to have been caused by an accident, a homicide, a suicide or are unknown.
Bodies dying from any of these suspected causes must be investigated and an autopsy performed in order to determine the exact cause of death.
Individuals who want to know how to become a Forensic Pathologist, can take a glimpse into the day of this profession by simply watching television.
A well-known Medical Examiner or Forensic Pathologist is Dr.
Jan Garavaglia who appears on the reality television show, “Dr.
G: Medical Examiner,” on the TLC and Discovery Fit & Health networks.
The reality television chronicles Dr.
Garavaglia’s cases and guides the viewer on the steps her team makes to complete autopsies for any unexplained deaths.
Table of Contents
Education Requirements to Become a Forensic Pathologist
Individuals who want to become a Forensic Pathologist not only have to have a tolerance for smells, bodily fluids and dead bodies, they also have to have several years of study and training in order to enter this field.
You may be interested in knowing how to become a Forensic Pathologist if you are an individual who is highly interested in the sciences, math and biology.
Individuals may begin in this profession by taking math and science courses before completing their high school careers.
Individuals may then continue to their college careers by completing any major and taking course requirements for medical school.
Individuals must earn a bachelor’s degree and fulfill medical school requirements before applying and completing four years of medical school to earn a degree as an M.D.
(Medical Doctor) or D.O.
(Doctor of Osteopathic).
After earning a degree as an M.D.
or D.O., the next step is for individuals to complete 4 to 5 years of training in either of the following areas: anatomic pathology, clinical pathology and/or forensic pathology.
Individuals must then complete one year in a residency or fellowship in the forensic pathology field.
After studying and passing a strenuous exam, the last step to becoming a Forensic Pathologist is for an individual to become board certified and begin the job search process.
Forensic Pathologist Job Description
Forensic Pathologists are first assigned cases by the party seeking a cause of death.
An autopsy may be sought by a local, county or federal government or a privately owned practice, depending on the agency that this professional works for.
Forensic Pathologists then proceed by gathering samples off of the individual’s body, examining by eye or under a microscope and sending samples to get processed in a lab.
Examinations may be thorough with some bodies requiring an internal examination of organs and sometimes the brain as well as samples of blood and other bodily fluids.
Samples of tissues can then be looked at under a microscope, or bodily fluids sent to a lab for a toxicology report.
If the cause of death is unknown, a thorough examination of samples and fluids is required in order to determine the exact cause of death.
Forensic Pathologists may also gather evidence found at the scene in order to come to a conclusion regarding an individual’s death.
Such examples can be of drugs or tools found at the scene if the death of an individual seems suspicious and points to criminal activity.
In some cases where a death is suspected to have been caused by criminal activity, a Forensic Pathologists will work with law enforcement and other individuals to report their findings.
In addition to taking samples from dead bodies and examining them, Forensic Pathologists will also take the time to write reports of their findings and a final conclusion of an individual’s death.
The finding can sometimes be used for legal means when the death was found to be caused by a homicide.
Forensic Pathologists may also provide testimony during a murder trial.
Forensic Pathologist Salary and Career Path
Forensic Pathologists may be hired by city, county or federal governments, while others may work for private institutions such as hospitals, medical schools or private practices.
Salaries will depend on the type of agency a professional works for as well as experience and location.
In 2012, the median income for Forensic Pathologists was $187,000 annually.
Job prospects for this profession looks hopeful and expected to increase by 24 percent through 2022.
For those looking to launch their careers as a Forensic Pathologist, they can expect to use their knowledge and skills to determine the cause of death for deceased individuals.
This career is not for the faint of heart, but for individuals who can handle working with the deceased, becoming a Forensic Pathologist may be a natural course to take.
