Are you someone who watches crime dramas on TV? Or are you someone who thinks, "What really happened to this death?" when you see a news story about a mysterious death in the newspaper? At times like these, one word we often hear is "Forensic Pathologist." But many of us don't know who this specialist forensic pathologist is and what their role is. So today, let's talk about this very important medical field.
Who is this 'specialist forensic doctor'?
Simply put, a forensic pathologist is a doctor who conducts medical investigations into unexpected, suspicious, unnatural, or violent deaths. They are the ones who look for the cause of death, the manner of death, and any relevant medical evidence related to it.
They do this work mainly by conducting a post-mortem examination, or autopsy . That is, a medical examination of the body of a deceased person. Their work is closely related to medicine as well as the law.
"Pathology" is the branch of medicine that examines body tissue samples in a laboratory to diagnose diseases or for forensic purposes. The word "forensic" means "related to the scientific methods of solving crimes." But despite this name, not every death that forensic doctors examine is necessarily a crime. Sometimes it can be an accident or an undiagnosed medical condition.
What are the areas of expertise of these doctors?
A forensic pathologist is someone who has received specialized training that goes far beyond that of a regular doctor. Their knowledge spans several fields. Let's take a look at what those are.
| Specialized Field | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Toxicology | This is the science that studies poisons, how they affect the body, and how to identify them. For example, deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, snake or insect bites, and overdoses of opioids or alcohol are investigated through this. In Sri Lanka, deaths caused by agrochemicals also come under this category. If someone suspects a poisoning, they can contact the National Poison Information Center at the National Hospital for information. |
| The science of firearms and ammunition (Ballistics) | This involves studying the motion of projectiles such as bullets and the effects they cause. In the event of a fatality from a gunshot wound, this knowledge is essential to determine exactly how the bullet entered the body and what damage it caused. |
| Trace Evidence | These are the very small things that are left behind when two people or objects collide. For example, things like a piece of clothing, bodily fluids, gunpowder, hair, fingerprints. Although these are not visible to the naked eye, they can be significant evidence to determine the cause of death. |
| Serology | This involves studying blood and other body fluids. Forensic scientists examine these samples under a microscope or use various machines to test them. This can reveal many things, such as the deceased's blood type and whether they had any medical conditions. |
| DNA technology | DNA is our genetic information. Forensic scientists use this technology. For example, they use it to compare a DNA sample found at a crime scene with the DNA of a suspect, or to confirm the identity of an unidentified body. |
What exactly does a forensic pathologist do?
The primary function of a coroner is to determine the mechanism, time, and manner of death in the event of an unexpected or violent death. The manner of death is whether the death was a homicide, suicide, accidental, natural, or undetermined.
To find these things, a forensic scientist follows these steps:
- Confirming the identity of the deceased: The first step is to confirm the identity of the deceased. The necessary information is collected.
- Studying the deceased's medical history: We look into the deceased's previous illnesses and medications, as this may provide clues to the cause of death.
- Crime scene evidence evaluation: If a death is suspected to be a crime, we work with the police to investigate the connection between the evidence at the crime scene and the death.
- Conducting an autopsy: This is their main job. They carefully examine the body, both externally and internally, for any injuries or illnesses. They record everything they find, as this can be very important evidence in a court of law.
- Collecting and analyzing forensic evidence: Focal evidence, such as hairs, pieces of thread, and small objects found under the skin, is collected and examined in the laboratory.
Once all of these investigations are complete, the coroner will prepare a full written report explaining the cause, time, and manner of death. If necessary, they may also have to testify as an expert witness in court about these facts.
In addition to autopsies, forensic pathologists are sometimes involved in examining living individuals who have been sexually assaulted or physically abused.
What is the difference between a Forensic Pathologist, Coroner and Medical Examiner?
Although we have heard all three of these names, there are slight differences. In Sri Lankan usage, these may be used differently.
- Forensic Pathologist: This is the medical specialty we were talking about. This is a medical degree and training that a doctor receives.
- Medical Examiner: This is usually the job title of a forensic pathologist working in a government agency (e.g., the Judicial Medical Officer's Office - JMO office). This means that someone can be a Forensic Pathologist and a Medical Examiner at the same time.
- Coroner: This is an appointed or elected government official. The main job is to certify the cause of death. In most countries, a Coroner is not a doctor. Therefore, they work in conjunction with a forensic pathologist. In Sri Lanka, coroners perform this task.
How do you become a forensic specialist?
This is a very long and dedicated journey. To become a forensic specialist, you must pass these educational milestones:
1. Advanced Level: First, you must qualify to enter the medical faculty of the university.
2. Medical degree: You need to study in medical school for 5-6 years and obtain a medical degree like MBBS.
3. Internship: After graduation, you must complete a one-year internship.
4. Postgraduate training: After that, you need to pursue postgraduate training to gain expertise in the field of Pathology.
5. Specialist training: After that training, you need to receive further specialized training under the sub-specialty field of Forensic Pathology.
With all of this, it usually takes about 12-14 years to become a skilled forensic specialist. This shows how much dedication it takes to do this.
Take-Home Message
- A forensic pathologist is a doctor who conducts medical examinations of suspicious, unexpected, or violent deaths.
- Their main job is to perform an autopsy to accurately determine the cause, manner, and time of death.
- Not every death they investigate has to be a crime; they can also be due to accidents or natural causes.
- Becoming an expert in this field requires many years of specialized training in addition to a medical degree.
- Their findings are of utmost importance to law enforcement and the delivery of justice.
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