| You have seen them on your favorite CSI or NCIS TV | | | | in court, and represent the medical examiner's office in |
| shows. They are the criminalists known as the forensic | | | | varying public and legal aspects. To become a |
| pathologists. They are the Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallards | | | | successful forensic pathologist, you must possess a |
| (a character on NCIS) of the pathology labs. They are | | | | medical license and working knowledge of anatomy, |
| the individuals who cut up dead bodies for pathological | | | | anthropology, microscopy, dentistry, pathology, |
| analysis. Have you ever wondered what a forensic | | | | radiology and laboratory testing, as well as local, state, |
| pathologist does? What are the educational | | | | and federal laws. |
| requirements to become successful in this career? | | | | Studying for this profession is long and arduous. At the |
| In this article, I will explain what the job description of a | | | | least, you must undergo undergraduate school, four |
| forensic pathologist entails and the education needed | | | | years of medical school, one year of internship, and |
| to become one. | | | | fours years of pathology residency. Then, a one- or |
| The forensic pathologist is at the pinnacle of the | | | | two-year stint in a forensic pathology fellowship can |
| forensic system of investigation. They are at the top | | | | be of benefit to you. Most leadership positions require |
| of the mountain, if you will. The job duties of this | | | | that you are board certified in anatomic or forensic |
| profession are not intended for those lacking intestinal | | | | pathology. The American Board of Pathology currently |
| fortitude. This profession can be fulfilling and rewarding | | | | certifies all candidates seeking board certification in |
| yet dirty, stinky, and gruesome. | | | | forensic pathology. |
| As a forensic pathologist, you have the ability to serve | | | | The efforts of a forensic pathologist can help criminal |
| as a medical examiner or coroner, study human bodies | | | | investigators come one step closer to solving a crime |
| to determine the cause and manner of death, perform | | | | such as murder, bring an offender to justice, and |
| autopsies, supervise a pathology laboratory and | | | | provide closure to the families of the victims. |
| maybe the entire crime lab, study crime scenes, testify | | | | |