—Hey look, it’s Dr. G!
INTRO TO FORENSIC PATHOLOGY:
A forensic pathologist, otherwise known as a medical examiner, examines the bodies of people who have died suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently. In the forensic science community, medical examinations are important because the human body is the largest and best piece of criminal evidence to analyze. Although some criminally involved deaths such as strangulation, gun shot, and blunt trauma may be visible to the naked eye, forensic pathologists look inside the body to fully analyze a death. Through the process of forensic autopsies, medical examiners are able to analyze organs, bones, and look at samples of tissue to identify cellular components that may have been affected by certain deaths.
So basically, crime labs always look to the medical examiners or forensic pathologists for initial clues into a case. What is so “above and beyond” about this area of forensics, is its criteria that has to be met when pursuing this type of career… A whopping 13 years of education after high school!
ARTICLE DISCUSSION:
In an article on PBS, Front Line: Death Investigation in America, I came across an article that gave an overview of what this type of career is like.
I found an interesting section that struck my attention:
“With roughly 500,000 deaths per year referred to a coroner or medical examiner for preliminary investigation, the National Association of Medical Examiners says twice that number of forensic pathologists is needed to provide competent service and ensure that pathologists are not performing more than the 250 to 350 autopsies per year its guidelines recommend.”
So what does this mean?
Well, it seems to me that there are not enough “forensic” pathologists in America for the number of autopsies that need performed. However, based off of the article, clinical pathologists (who work with living patients, in hospital settings) have much different work conditions. Although the academic requirements are the same (a minimum of 13 years of education and training after high school), medical examiners make between $150,000 - 180,000, which is only a percentage of what experienced clinical pathologists earn per year. Also, Dr. Vincent DiMaio says that, “The salaries are not competitive and the facilities are often terrible when you compare them to working in a hospital setting.”
I thought this article was interesting because it altered my perception of forensic pathology. I still think being a medical examiner would be unique and quite a successful career, but I am astonished at the amount of people in America who do not feel the same way, or who don’t want to get involved in the field.
What DiMaio is saying is that TV shows and books are giving Americans false impressions about forensic pathology. He also believes that in medical school’s, young adults are not getting to experience the possible field of forensics through being a medical examiner, as they are in other medical specialties such as cardiology, neurology, and pediatrics (all working with living patients…which I think is the deal breaker for most people pursing careers in medicine and science).
So, this week I wanted to end on a positive note about forensic pathology, even though my writing says otherwise. I think this job can be a little stressful and somewhat morbid, but, I believe it is one of the biggest advantages forensic scientists have into solving crimes, and determining CAUSE OF DEATH!
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