Pathology/Biology (page 2)
Scope of Work
The forensic pathologist's involvement and investigation
may include visiting the scene of death. Forensic pathologists
and/or their investigators gather information concerning
what happened at the time of death, what the person was
doing at the time, and the medical history of the person.
Forensic pathologists microscopically
examining
autopsy slides for signs of disease and trauma.
The forensic examination of a body includes examining the
clothing on the body, the body itself, and an internal examination
of the organs, which is the autopsy. The body is usually photographed
and diagramed, with a detailed written report describing any
injuries or disease process. The autopsy usually includes
microscopic examination of the tissues of the body. X-rays
may also be taken to look for bullets, broken bones, or other
abnormalities.
The forensic pathologist works with other branches of the
forensic sciences. The forensic pathologist may collect
evidence from the body such as blood and hairs in an assault
case, swabs for examination for semen in rape cases, and
fibers from the decedent's clothing and body. These are
sent to the forensic laboratory for examination by a criminalist
— a scientist trained in the collection and examination
of physical evidence. The forensic pathologist also collects
specimens, such a blood, urine, bile, as well as stomach
contents and body tissues, for toxicology analysis. The
toxicologist looks for the presence of alcohol, drugs, and
other chemicals or poisons in these specimens. If bullets,
shotgun pellets, or wadding are recovered at autopsy, they
are also sent to the forensic laboratory for examination.
A firearms examiner analyzes these specimens and is often
able to match them to a specific gun.
Forensic pathologists also work to identify unknown deceased
persons by way of medical information, dental records, and
other peculiarities of an individual. If the body has deteriorated
to a skeleton, forensic pathology may determine the race
or sex of the individual. Forensic pathologists are often
assisted by forensic odontologists (dentists) and physical
anthropologists.
Examination of the deceased may reveal whether the person
received injuries, also called trauma, both prior to (antemortem),
and after (postmortem) death, as well as which changes to
the body occurred as a result of decomposition after death.
Each type of injury (gunshot, blunt force, sharp force,
et al.) often can be recognized by a distinctive pattern.
Forensic pathologists are trained to recognize these patterns
and thereby determine the cause and manner of death. Injury
patterns are especially important in cases of child abuse
or infanticide (the killing of children) and in elder abuse.
Autopsy findings must correlate with the other known physical
and circumstantial evidence. Oftentimes, examination of
the body may reveal that the victim died in a distant location
and in a very different position from the situation in which
the body was actually found. The forensic pathologist's
opinions and the autopsy results are vital components of
any medico-legal death investigation. The forensic pathologist
must maintain accurate and unbiased written and photographic
records. His work may lead either to the conviction of the
guilty or the exoneration of the innocent.
A little known aspect of forensic pathology is the role
this science plays in the areas of public health and disease
and injury prevention. Epidemic disease recognition and
control as well as observance of faulty consumer product
design, which may cause disease or injury, are of utmost
importance not only to the forensic pathologist, but society
as a whole. In addition, genetic disorders common to a particular
family may be identified and reported to those affected.
An emerging role of the forensic pathologist is that of
clinical forensic pathology. Patterns of injury are not
only visible when persons are deceased; they can be recognized
in living patients in emergency rooms and clinics. This
is especially critical in cases of child and elder abuse.
The interpretation of these injuries is invaluable to police
or other law enforcement officials in a criminal investigation.
The forensic pathologist must always be willing to reach
out to bereaved families as well as to communicate with
other physicians, attorneys, and law enforcement officers
in an effort to provide all those who have need, with proper,
accurate, and timely information. Assistance to those who
are left to deal with the loss and trauma surrounding the
death of a human being is the reason for the work of the
forensic pathologist.
