Editing Forensic pathology (section)

== Duties ==
Forensic pathology is an application of [[medical jurisprudence]]. A forensic pathologist is a [[medical doctor]] who has completed training in [[anatomical pathology]] and has subsequently specialized in forensic pathology.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | title = What is a Forensic Pathologist? | publisher = University of New Mexico Health Sciences | url = https://hsc.unm.edu/omi/about/faq/forensic-pathologist.html | access-date = 4 October 2020}}</ref> The requirements for becoming a "fully qualified" forensic pathologist vary from country to country. Some of the different requirements are discussed below (see [[#Education|''§ Education'']]).

The forensic pathologist performs autopsies/postmortem examinations with the goal of determining the [[cause of death]] as well as the possible manner of death. The autopsy report contains conclusions made relating to the following:
* The pathological process, injury, or disease that directly results in or initiates a series of events that lead to a person's death (also called the mechanism of death), such as a [[bullet]] wound to the head, [[exsanguination]] caused by a stab wound, manual or ligature [[strangulation]], [[myocardial infarction]] resulting from coronary artery disease, etc.)
* The manner of death, the circumstances surrounding the cause of death, which, in most jurisdictions,  include the following:<ref name=FP>{{cite book|last=DiMaio|first=Dominick|title=Forensic Pathology|date=28 June 2001|publisher=CRC Press LLC|location=Florida|isbn=0-8493-0072-X|pages=3–6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XyG3802xSdwC&pg=PA3|edition=2nd}}</ref>
** [[Homicide]]
** [[Accidental death|Accidental]]
** [[Natural death|Natural]]
** [[Suicide]]
** Undetermined

The autopsy also provides an opportunity for other issues raised by the death to be addressed, such as the collection of trace evidence or determining the identity of the deceased. Autopsies are performed when a death occurs, when an unexpected death occurs, when someone dies while not under the care of a physician, to solve criminal cases, when a mass disaster occurs and requires the identification of the victims<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last1=Schuliar |first1=Yves |last2=Knudsen |first2=Peter Juel Thiis |date=2012-06-01 |title=Role of forensic pathologists in mass disasters |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-011-9300-3 |journal=Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology |language=en |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=164–173 |doi=10.1007/s12024-011-9300-3 |pmid=22160735 |s2cid=40971570 |issn=1556-2891|url-access=subscription }}</ref> and upon request by the family or loved ones of the deceased. Typically, autopsies can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000, however the price can vary from country to country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Post Mortem - Autopsy 101 |url=http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/post-mortem/things-to-know/autopsy-101.html |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=FRONTLINE |language=en}}</ref>

The forensic pathologist examines and documents [[wound]]s and injuries, along with the possible causation of those injuries, at autopsy, at the scene of a crime and occasionally in a clinical setting, such as rape investigation or deaths in custody.

Forensic pathologists collect and examine tissue specimens under the microscope ([[histology]]) to identify the presence or absence of natural disease and other microscopic findings such as asbestos bodies in the lungs or gunpowder particles around a gunshot wound.

They collect and interpret toxicological specimens of body tissues and fluids to determine the chemical cause of accidental overdoses or deliberate poisonings.

Forensic pathologists work closely with the medico-legal authority for the area concerned with the investigation of sudden and unexpected deaths: the coroner (England and Wales), [[procurator fiscal]] (Scotland), or coroner or medical examiner (United States).

In mass disaster settings, forensic pathologists will work alongside Forensic Odontologists, Forensics Anthropologists as well as other forensic specialties with the goal of identifying the victims of the disaster.<ref name=":02"/> The process of identification involves the recovery of the victims, the collection of antemortem data, the initial examination along with the collection of any postmortem evidence, and finally the comparison of the antemortem and postmortem data gathered in order to identify those victims.<ref name=":02" />

They serve as [[Expert witness|expert witnesses]] in [[courts of law]] testifying in civil or criminal [[law]] cases.

In an [[autopsy]], the forensic pathologist is often assisted by an autopsy/mortuary technician (sometimes called a [[diener]] in the US).

Forensic physicians sometimes referred to as "forensic medical examiners" or "police surgeons" (in the UK until recently), are medical doctors trained in the examination of, and provision of medical treatment to, living victims of assault, including sexual assault, and individuals who find themselves in police custody. Many forensic physicians in the UK practice clinical [[forensic medicine]] part-time, and they also practice family medicine or another [[medical specialty]].

In the [[United Kingdom]], membership of the [[Royal College of Pathologists]] is not a prerequisite of appointment as a coroner's ''medical expert''. Doctors in the UK who are not forensic pathologists or pathologists are allowed to perform [[medical jurisprudence|medicolegal]] autopsies, as the wording of the [[Coroners and Justice Act 2009]], which merely stipulates a "registered medical practitioner": anyone on the General Medical Council register.

Forensic pathologists make great contributions to [[public health]] and [[preventative medicine]] by studying the dead. By using their findings during [[Autopsy|autopsies]], they can use their knowledge to prevent the death of another person.<ref name=":0" />