Premium Essay

Forensic Pathology

Submitted By
Words 148
Pages 1
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ 2015)article, there is serious lack of forensic pathologist. This phenomenon has delayed autopsy reports across the United States. The national association of medical examiners said about 500,000 people die each year, which requires a medical examiner or autopsy, and about twice as many forensic pathologists need to fill the need. So why the forensic pathology is necessary? How does the forensic pathology help solve the criminal case? That is because that the helpful information that can help solve the case. However, this information can be generated in two main ways. One of the ways is the autopsy that is mean check of a dead body by a forensic who cuts it open and try to find the cause of death. The

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Forensic Pathology

...A forensic pathologist (which is known to most people as a medical examiner), is heavily involved in the criminal justice system and medical system. The medical examiner's main job is to conduct an autopsy on the victim of any unnatural form of death. Their primary task in potential criminal cases is to find the cause of death and confirm if it was homicidal, suicidal, or an accident. The cause of death is what police investigators use as their lead to track down potential suspects. Some work in local parts of government, hospitals, medicals schools, and in private practice which would contract their service to other government agencies. They perform autopsies, write out autopsy reports, look over victim's medical records, and interview the victim's next of kin. They also have to be trained in the legal system and to be able to testify in court cases involving death or injury (“Forensic Pathology,” 2009). Most forensic pathologist start as a resident, then after residency they awarded the title medical examiner. They can continue working to deputy chief medical examiner and the top position chief medical examiner. It takes between 13 to 15 years of education to become a forensic pathologist. This includes your bachelor degree and medical course requirements, followed by four years of medical school, and four years practicing forensic pathology as a resident. Once all of this is completed, you are required to accomplish a one year fellowship. The last and final step to be a certified...

Words: 659 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Forensic Pathology

...Forensic Pathology Have you ever just wanted to come home from a long days at work and kick off your shoes and grab some food and pig out in front of the television? You began to flick through all the channels and can’t find what you are looking for so you come to CSI Miami and this had caught your attention and now you’re toned in and intrigued of what they are doing. You find yourself yelling at the T.V. saying “how they do that?” “What is that?” “Why are they doing that?” and “how did they solve the case?” Well as you began to read further all of your questions will be answered, and you will see the real from the fake and what exactly a forensic pathologist is and as well as what it takes to become one. You will learn the ins and outs of how forensic pathologist has more than just one obligation. Forensic pathology has to do with the cause and manner of how someone died, as well as working with the police and their overall investigation it is almost like they are an investigator too. There is a lot of schooling and training that goes into becoming a forensic pathologist. As you continue further you will see that forensic pathology is a part of everyday life because, someone passes on every day. Forensic pathologist are specially trained doctors/physicians that study and examine the bodies of people who are deceased suddenly, violently, or unexpectedly. It is their job to figure out the immediate reason for this cessation of life. What are the duties of a forensic pathologist...

Words: 1288 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

A Career In Forensic Pathology

...Forensic pathology is a special area of pathology. After death occurs, a forensic pathologist would provide valuable information about the manner of death after an autopsy is completed. The autopsy reveals more than just the manner of death, but also the cause, where, when, and how aspects of the death occur. According to Igor Tsimberg, a Forensic Pathologist, that’s employed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, there are four different manners of death, with an exception for the unclassified manner, homicide, suicide, accidental, and natural deaths. But sometimes there are suspicious deaths, sudden deaths and unexpected deaths that occur with people. Many people do not realize that about half of the deaths examined by the forensic pathologist are natural death occurring without injury. Tsimberg mentions, that a Forensic pathologist can also be used...

Words: 531 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Forensic Pathology

...People die everyday. Many die of natural causes and diseases, but some pass away due to unexplained causes. Forensic pathology has an interesting start in its history. It helps find the causes of unexplained deaths. Forensic pathologists are needed across the world due to murder, suicide, and many more complications due to their wide knowledge of forensic pathology. Forensic pathology is a type of pathology that determines the causes of death. “The word pathology means ‘the study of disease’(Howard C. Adelman).” Path meaning “ disease, and ology meaning “ study of ” in Greek. Pathology is the science of the causes and effects of diseases, with laboratory examination of the body for forensic purposes. Forensic means relating to the...

Words: 1165 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Forensic Pathology and Miscarriages of Justice: a Journal Article Analysis

...Forensic Pathology and Miscarriages of Justice: a Journal Article Analysis Merlyn Arostegui Prof. Sigal CRJU 443 | Forensic Pathology and Miscarriages of Justice: a Journal Article Analysis The article chosen for analysis is titled “Forensic Pathology and the Miscarriage of Justice” written by Michael S. Pollanen of the Centre of Forensic Science and Medicine, University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. The article was published in Forensic, Science, Medicine, and Pathology in 2012. The main purpose of the article was to present the fact that in order for the criminal justice system to operate in a safe and fair manner, any evidence presented in the duration of a prosecution must be accurate and objective—especially medical evidence. If either the accuracy or objectivity of evidence presented is compromised, there lies the possibility of unsafe prosecution which can lead to wrongful convictions or other forms of miscarriages of justice. Main Purpose There has been an increased awareness in the number of cases that have experienced a miscarriage of justice due to compromised medical evidence being presented during trial. Although there are legal tools available to regulate the types of evidence admissible in court as well as the “experts” allowed to present said evidence [such as Daubert hearings], these tools are only partially effective because forensic pathology is a discipline that grows and develops over time. The accepted view in pathology [or any field of science...

Words: 1591 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Forensic Pathology

...To: xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx., Instructor From: A. G., Student Anatomy & Physiology I Re: The examination of human skeletal remains referred to as Case ##-#### Date: 02 December 2014 Introduction: On the 23rd day of October 2014 at approximately 8:45 a.m., Dr. Robert Routh presented human skeletal remains to the Anatomy & Physiology class. The remains were comprised of both coxal bones, right and left femur, skull, and remaining parts of the skeleton. Also a radiograph was given to the class which included the ulna and patella, dentures and the metacarpals. The class was given the instructions to estimate the individual’s sex, age, and also note and record evidence of trauma. Information about the recovery was given to the class, subsequent care of the material was not given to the class. Condition of Remains: All significant observations related to the bony materials itself are limited to this section. The bones exhibit a slight acrid odor, and are slightly greasy to the touch. Pupa cases can be seen in a foramen found within the infratemporal fossa of the skull; also in the pubic symphysis ridges of the left coxal bone. Some plant materials, or soils are immediately apparent, and the right coxal bone demonstrates a substantially lighter color than the rest of the postcranial skeletal remains. Summary: Sex: Female Age: 14-19 Trauma: Ante-mortem and Peri-mortem trauma present; no post-mortem trauma is readily apparent. Sex: ...

Words: 555 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Health

...Radiology vs. Medical Examiner Radiologist Two different potential careers that I’m interested in are Radiologic Technologists and a Medical Examiner. I will cover the educational requirements, job responsibilities, pay scale, and the job demand for each of my potential careers. The educational requirements for a Radiologic Technologist include formal training programs in radiography that lead to a certificate, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree. Associate’s degree programs are the most common. Certificate programs typically last 6 to 12 months. Typical programs include both classroom training and clinical training. Coursework includes anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics and protection, and image evaluation. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredits educational and training programs in radiography. Completing an accredited program is required for licensure in some states. High school students who are interested in radiologic technology should take courses that focus on science and math. Suggested courses include anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, mathematics, and physics. Radiologic technologists must be licensed or certified in most states; requirements vary by state. To be licensed in most states, radiologic technologists must have graduated from an accredited program and must pass a certification exam from the state or from The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT). To keep their...

Words: 1189 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Forensic

...medical examiners use similar phrases. Most people enjoy watching CSI, Criminal minds, and Law and Order. If you haven’t guessed by now, I am totally interested in crime scenes and how people die. A forensic pathologist is a great profession that requires hard work, dedication, and flexibility. A Forensic Pathologist is a person who examines the bodies of people who died suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently. They are in charge of determining a person death. A medical examiner perform autopsy and trace evidence from the body for further information. This profession works hand and hand with criminal law. As a medical examiner, you are responsible for finding the exact cause of death. “I wanted to be a forensic scientist for a long time. It's like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Solving mysteries seemed like it would be fun, scary and exciting all at the same time.” Forensic Pathologist performs a full death investigation. As a coroner, evaluates crime scene evidence. There is a large vocabulary that forensic pathologist must learn. The terminology that medical examiners use is totally different from everyday language. They use medical terms that doctors use for body parts. Education is very important no matter what career path you choose. For a forensic pathologist, you will need plenty of education you must go to high school and college; you must also make good grades. In high school, you should strive to keep a B average. Asking your counselor to...

Words: 1117 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Forensic Autopsy

...Forensic Autopsy Name Institution Course Date Deaths resulting from blunt force trauma are the most common cases in forensic autopsy. However, it is imperative to note that some factors contribute to the actual death of the victim, leading to a contradiction of whether the cause of death was sharp force or blunt trauma related. For instance, a patient hospitalised after having had a car accident and died three weeks after hospitalization, having caught pneumonia would likely give the results that the patient died out of pneumonia. However, such is not the case. In the forensic autopsy, the cause of death should be categorised as blunt force trauma, categorically belonging to the cause “accident” (Prahlow, 2010). Therefore, because of the contradictions that occur in such autopsies, it is paramount to take note of the differences exhibited by blunt force trauma wounds and sharp force trauma injuries. Injuries caused by blunt force have the following characteristics. Firstly, blunt force inflicted wounds have abrasions on the skin epithelium. This arises as the result of the sliding force between the surface and the blunt objects, pressure or compression (Prahlow, 2010). Secondly, such injuries might show patterned abrasions, the phenomenon in which the wounds pattern is transferred to the intermediary between the skin and the blunt object, such as clothes. These forms of wounds can be used to identify weapons as the sources of blunt trauma injuries...

Words: 606 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Forensic Pathologist Research Paper

...Some of the longest running shows on television are based around one of the darkest jobs, shows like CSI, NCIS and even The X-files, have main characters with jobs as a forensic pathologist. A forensic pathologist’s job, better known as a medical examiner, is to, in essence, find a cause and manner of death. In more detail, a forensic pathologist is a person is responsible for examining a body's tissues, organs and bodily fluids to determine a cause of death and if possible, the events leading to the death and the time of death, the examination of a deceased’s body is referred to as an autopsy. Once the fluids and tissue samples are collected from a body, they are examined under a microscope or biopsied. But before the body can be autopsied,...

Words: 264 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Specialist

...pathologist’s practice. A clinical pathologist oversees lab tests conducted on body fluids. For instance, together with clinical lab technologists, pathologists work to ensure that blood and blood products are safe. In microbiology, pathologists identify microorganisms that can cause infections – bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites – so that the most effective treatment can be selected for each particular case. An anatomic pathologist assists surgeons during operations by providing immediate diagnoses on biopsies (specially treated tissues removed in surgery and rushed to the lab). A forensic pathologist uses lab science to answer questions about evidence collected for criminal and civil cases.  Other pathologists conduct research in pathology, developing new tests and new instruments to better diagnose diseases. Some pathologists devote their careers to research in pathology, developing new tests and new instruments to better diagnose diseases. Pathologists often teach their specialty to medical students and those preparing for other laboratory professions, including clinical lab technology and cytotechnology, among others. Pathologists are problem-solvers, fascinated by the process of disease and eager to unlock medical mysteries, such as AIDS and diabetes, using the sophisticated tools and methods of modern laboratory science. With...

Words: 859 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Autopsy

...autopsy. The words ‘autopsy’, ‘necropsy’ and ‘post-mortem examination’ are synonymous with each other and refer to the investigation of the human body involving an external examination followed by the dissections of the head, thorax and the abdomen. The word autopsy literally means ‘to see for oneself’. Autopsy rates in the United Kingdom (UK) currently stand at 21.9%, out of which only 0.4% are not requested by a coroner and the most common request for an autopsy occurs in cases of unexpected deaths where the cause is not apparent. Autopsies are also carried out for determination of manner of death, evaluation of ante-mortem and post-mortem diagnosis, epidemiological purposes, survey outbreaks, medical audit, research, teaching, forensic purposes and to enlighten/reassure families or inform then of hereditary diseases. Despite the well-recognised importance of autopsies in twenty-first century medicine, there has been a huge decline in autopsy rates across the world, causing concern amongst the medical community. Factors that have contributed to the decline include distaste of the procedure in both the physicians and the relatives, lack of financial incentives, increased faith in imaging technologies, fear of litigation, lack of importance of the autopsies in the teaching curriculum and...

Words: 3336 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Forensic

...Forensic Pathology In the many months I’ve researched Forensic Pathology, I’ve found so many roads that I have to take in order to get there. I have been pursuing this dream since my freshmen year. I found so many interesting, shocking, and yet some upsetting things. I realized that not everything is positive when it comes to choosing your career. When actually seeing, physically what Forensic Pathology really is, you’ll be shocked about it. Since reading about it and actually doing the job, it’s so different it never crossed my mind that it would be so much work. There are many steps to becoming a Forensic Pathologist. The education for it takes many years, but yet it is possible. A forensic pathologist (which is known to most people as a medical examiner), is heavily involved in the criminal justice system and medical system. The medical examiner's main job is to conduct an autopsy on the victim of any unnatural form of death. Their primary task in potential criminal cases is to find the cause of death and confirm if it was homicidal, suicidal, or an accident. They perform autopsies, write out autopsy reports, look over victim's medical records, and interview the victim's next of kin. They also have to be trained in the legal system and to be able to testify in court cases involving death or injury (“Forensic Pathology,” 2009). Most forensic pathologist start as a resident, then after residency they awarded the title medical examiner. They can continue working to deputy...

Words: 363 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Body Decomposition

...Forensic science, has made great progress over recent years and scientists can gather an incredible amount of information by examining a corpse. It is such a broad field, and there are so many areas of expertise. As forensic scientists of various diciplines work together, they can produce enough information to give the person a background, a location of death, and last but not least a face. Identifying the victim can sometimes not be as simple as looking at their face and matching them to a description given by a worried relative or loved one. Sometimes there are extraneous forces at work, which make identifying the victim a long and laborious task. The main reasons for difficulty in identifying the victim are massive head trauma, submergence in water for long periods of time, decapitation and disfigurement All of these are of course guesome in their own right and the task of identifying a victim can be made much trickier if any of these issues arise. Normally dental work, blood tests and fingerprinting would go some way in making a positive identification of a corpse but there are other things to take into consideration Criminal examinations of the deceased, natural disasters and those caused by malice are sadly becoming an everyday part of life, making this field more and more prominent in today’s society. When we see this area of work in films and programmes the bodies often have teeth, an external or internal deformity, or something that makes the identification progress...

Words: 1172 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Agency Overview

...to investigates, complaints and disciplines those who violate. The Medical Practice or other laws that’s governing the professional behavior of its licensees there mission. Is to protect the health of Georgians through the proper licensing, physicians and certain members of the healing arts, even though the. Georgia Medical Examiners have a lot of work to do they have to make sure that they train their residency’s the correct way. Because they do have the rights to take away any professional licenses away if they don’t follow the rules and the requirements and the enforcements of the Medical laws. The Service that the Medical Examiner’s Perform. The Medical Examiner’s office of Georgia they provide a complete forensic pathology services to 153 of Georgia’s 159 counties in deaths which qualify as coroner cases under the Georgia. Death of Investigates Acts. The Chief Medical Examiner offers the State of Georgia oversees the GBI’S medical examiner (M.E) program and also establishes policies and guidelines for all Georgia coroners. They provide autopsies to the surrounding Georgia counties; their main headquarters is located in Decatur...

Words: 818 - Pages: 4