Forensic Pathology

MORGAN LASTER

MS. HATMAKER, 2ND PERIOD

What is Forensic Science, and what do Forensic Scientists do?

Forensic Science is any science used for the purposes of the law.

Forensic Scientists examine evidence from many angles to assist law enforcement officials in solving crimes, sometimes exonerating innocent subjects.

What are the duties of a Forensic Pathologist?

Forensic Pathologists are ordered by coroners to investigate the cause of sudden and unexpected death.

Forensic Pathologists perform autopsies to determine the cause of death.

By studying tissue and laboratory results, they are able to determine how a person died and give evidence in court about the time and cause of death.

Education and Training Requirements

Undergraduate

Studies

Complete undergraduate studies with a major in pre-med, biology, chemistry or forensic science

Medical School4 years of medical school with a focus in autopsy pathology

Residency4 years of residency which includes training and hands on interaction

LicensureObtain a license to practice forensic pathology

Certification Become board certified

What kind of evidence does a Forensic Pathologist work with?

Clinical Forensic Pathologists work with living patients, usually in cases where sexual assault or abuse is suspected.

Medical Examiners examine the bodies of people who have died suddenly or unexpectedly.

Salary

The median salary of a Forensic Scientist is $244,000 a year, or $118 and hour, with the top 10% earning $500,000 yearly, and the low 10% earning $105,000.

The average salary for a medical examiner in Georgia is $209,380.

Where do Forensic Pathologists work?

Forensic Pathologists carry out most of their duties in a morgue or in a lab where autopsies are performed.

Cyril Wecht and JonBenét Ramsey

Cyril Wecht is a forensic pathologist whose assistance was needed in the 1996 murder of JonBenét Ramsey, whose body was found eight hours after she was reported missing, in the basement of her Colorado home. Wecht has also performed autopsies on President Kennedy, and was used in the O.J. Simpson case. According to an autopsy done by Wecht, JonBenét’s skull had been fractured, she had been sexually molested and strangled with a cord.

Wecht claims that there was evidence of previous sexual abuse found when he examined JonBenét's body, and claimed that the perpetrator was most likely a family member. DNA cleared all of Ramsey's family members in 2008.

BiblographyWhat is Forensic Sciece? (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2015, from http://aafs.org/

Forensic Pathologst: What They Do. (n.d.). Retrieved August 18, 2015, from cfnc.org

What Does a Forensic Scientist Do? (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2015, from learn.org

Forensic Pathologist: Education Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved August 18, 2015, from study.com

Forensic Pathologist. (n.d.). Retrieved August 19, 2015, from everydayhealthcareers.org

What Is a Medical Examiner's Salary? (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2015, from work.chron.com

Evidence of Prior Sexual Abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved August 21, 2015, from jonbenetramsey.pbworks.com