About forensic pathologist:

A forensic pathologist is one who inspects corpses and identifies the cause of the death. The forensic pathologists use their medical skills in the field of criminal justice to find out the details of the deaths which are occurred due to homicide, accident or suicide. These pathologists help the criminal investigators by finding the suspicious circumstances of the victim’s death. The forensic pathologists are also engaged in investigating the death cases which occur in the police custodies, death due to communicable diseases, death while undergoing a surgery, or when an individual dies within a day of entering a sickbay. There are various steps involved in investigation process that has to be one by forensic pathologists.

In the first step, the forensic pathologists find the nature of the death by conducting medical tests to the dead body. In most of the cases, forensic pathologists need to vist the crime/death scene to obtain the evidences that are useful in determining the cause of death. Evidences such as bodily fluids, hair, fingerprints etc will be collected by the forensic pathologists. In the next step, the forensic pathologists carry out an autopsy in which they examine the interiors and exterior of the dead body. They perform the activities like extracting the tissues and fluids of the body for toxicological and chemical analysis. Once, they complete the above mentioned two steps they will have the answers or reasons to the death. They will find whether the death is normal or abnormal. In the final step of investigation process, the forensic pathologists evaluate the lab reports and autopsy to ascertain the cause and nature of death. They prepare the reports summarizing the evidences found and conclusive statement that specifies the shutting of the case.

Important duties and responsibilities of a forensic pathologist:

A forensic pathologist has to perform various duties and responsibilities in his job. The following are the list of duties of a forensic pathologist:

• The primary duty of a forensic pathologist is to determine the cause of death that has occurred in any genuine or suspicious situations.
• Inspects the dead body to determine the evidences of the unnatural death by collecting evidences like hair, fingerprints, body fluids, tissues etc.
• They also Finds out the time of demise to assist the police department in solving murder cases.
• They visit the scene/place of death in order to collect evidences.
• They perform various medical tests to the dead body in order to find the reason of the demise.
• They also determine the instruments or weapons that are used in murder.
• They also perform the toxicological analysis on the dead body to determine the poison traces.

Responsibilities of a forensic pathologist:

• They summarize the results that are obtained during autopsy and submit the prepared reports to the concerned staff.
• They are responsible for conducting training programs to offer training to the junior pathologists.
• They are responsible to communicate effectively with crime investigators to derive accurate conclusions.
• They are responsible to supervise and maintain the clinical laboratory with pathology equipments.
• They are responsible to train subordinates and other supporting staff about various procedures involved in the investigation process.
• They are responsible in conducting research on various aspects that gives the clues in finding the reason for demise.
• They are responsible for designing specific programs with new procedures of investigation to deal special demise investigations.
• They are responsible to maintain regular coordination with officials of law enforcement.
• They are responsible for preparing illustrations, reports and other result documents by using computers.

Educational requirements to become a forensic pathologist:

An individual should be well qualified in the particular required field to become a forensic pathologist.

The following are the educational requirements of a forensic pathologist:

• An individual needs a great commitment to education to study the concerned courses to become a forensic pathologist.
• Several years of education and practical experience is required.
• A bachelor’s degree in any science related field is essential. The duration of this degree is usually 3 to 4 years.
• After completion of the bachelor degree, the candidate needs to complete medicinal course from any of the reputed and licensed educational institution.
• Medical degrees like Doctor of Osteopathy or (M.D) Doctor of Medicine are recommended to be taken.
• These degrees will be considered as forensic science degrees which are mandatory to become a forensic pathologist.
• The candidate has to undergo training program cum residency program (3 years duration) in which they gain an exclusive knowledge on pathology.
• The residency program involves a five year study of anatomy or clinical pathology.
• The study of anatomy gives the deep knowledge on the human body parts and its functioning system.
• The clinical pathology gives a clear knowledge on carrying out clinical activities to perform various activities on dead bodies to find out the cause of the deaths.
• These residence programs are served as internships which offer adequate training.
• The forensic pathologists should definitely possess a license of the particular state in which they begin the practice.
• In addition to the forensic degree, an individual must undergo year fellowship training before starting a practice.

Skills and abilities required for a forensic pathologist:

The occupation of forensic pathologists demands certain skills and abilities that the candidate has to keep up in his study, practice and working process. These skills will not only make an individual to do his job in an easy and efficient way, but also helps to quicken the growth pace in the professional career.

• The candidate should be able to work in professional teams.
• The forensic pathologist should possess manual dexterity.
•  They need to display highly professional medical skills while performing medical tests on the dead bodies.
• They need to have effective communication (both written and verbal) skills as they need to communicate with law enforcement staff, crime investigators, and other professionals in the forensic department.
• They need to possess good organizational and managerial skills as they have to organize various activities in his job.
• They need to have high concentration power as they had to pay attention on minute details of the case.
• They should possess ethical standards as they had to follow job ethics.
• They should possess strong knowledge on toxicology and anatomy to perform toxicological tests on the dead body.
• They need to be aware with all latest medical technologies in the department of forensic science.
• They should possess exceptional interpretation and analytical abilities.
• They should be compassionate and patient while conveying the death news of an individual to his/her family or relatives.
• They should have a good command over computer literacy to prepare various test reports, medical documents and evidence collections by using the computer.
• They need to interpret and comprehend the pathological lab results correctly.

Certification and Licensure required for a forensic pathologist:

• It is very essential for a forensic pathologist to get certified. They should also possess an official license before starting their practice.
• The licensure can be obtained by qualifying a certification test conducted by American Board of Pathology.
• A forensic pathologist should complete an 8 to 10 years of medical study in order to apply for certification of forensic pathology.
• After completing the prerequisites, they need to enroll in a residency program of forensic pathology.
• The residency program is one of the stages of the certification program which takes at least 4 years.
• This residency program offers theoretical and practical study on anatomical pathology.
• An additional year of training is required along with the residency program.
• In the training program, they need to perform the work activities under the direction of certified forensic pathologists.
• In the residency programs, the forensic pathologists will be trained on the way to find the death cause by performing autopsies under the supervision of coroner.
• In the final stage of certification program, they need to successfully qualify the exam conducted by American Board of pathology.
• A great deal of years of training and practical experience in pathology is essential to qualify in the exam of board of pathology.
• The American Society of Clinical pathology (ASCP) proves a certification to the candidates who have completed PA study course by qualifying in a comprehensive test.
• Licensure is also mandatory credential along with the certification.
• A forensic pathologist should definitely obtain a license in order to begin the independent practice.

Salary and Remuneration of a Forensic Pathologist:

• The average salary of a forensic pathologist is in the range $50,000- $154,564 per annum.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist varies with the factors such as experience, type of industry in which he is employed, employer type, and the benefits.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist with the experience of less than one year ranges between $25,785- 126,452.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist with the experience of 1-4 years ranges between $27,500- $146,045.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist with the experience of 5-9 years ranges between $98,264- $164,345.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist with the experience of 10-19 years ranges between $105,675- $195,735.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist with the experience of 10-19 years ranges between $105,675- $195,735.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist with the experience of 10-19 years ranges between $105,675- $195,735.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist with the experience of more than twenty years ranges between $168,031- $244,745.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist who is employed in the field of law enforcement ranges between $58,000- $210,500.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist who is employed in hospitals ranges from $45,220- $115,000.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist who is employed in state and local government sectors ranges between $28,563- $172,292.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist who is employed in the federal government sectors ranges between $34,456- $198,345.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist who is employed in pathology sectors ranges between $98,675- $190,452.
• The salary of a forensic pathologist who is working in the field of medical services ranges from $89,782- $156,785.
• The salary of forensic pathologists who are employed in government/public law offices is in the range $95,568- $178,674.
• According to the reports of Bureau of labor statistics, the median income of a forensic pathologist is around $51,460 per annum.
• The estimated growth rate in the field of forensic science is very high for the coming years.
• The expected rise in the job availability of forensic technicians is about 20 percent between the years 2008 – 2018.