Forensic Pathology

• Medico-legal investigation of sudden or unexpected death, worked with police and other investigative agencies, for the criminal and coroners courts

• Forensic pathologists give the coroner the medical and pathology evidence needed to identify the deceased and establish how, when and where they died

• Postmortem examination and dissection, analysis of tissue and body fluids, and more recently postmortem imaging

• Many of the deaths investigated are caused by natural disease, so the job needs a thorough knowledge of anatomical pathology, haematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, immunopathology and cytogenetics

• Beyond the deceased

  An inherited disease found at autopsy can matter to the health of the family, and patterns in deaths and injuries can change government policy

• The work brings ongoing exposure to deaths from accidents, disasters and human violence, to grieving families and to an adversarial legal system

• Basic Pathological Sciences examination

  One 2.5-hour paper of 100 multiple choice questions, open before training to medical students and graduates

  • A pass or an exemption is needed before Part II
  • Applications to sit the examinations close 28 February each year, and late applications are not accepted

• Forensic Pathology Part I

  Usually in the third year, after 24 months of training

Choose before you start. Both lead to Fellowship in forensic pathology.

• At least 18 months in accredited anatomical pathology departments and 18 in forensic pathology by the time of Part II

• Forensic Pathology Part II

  In the final year, in May and August

• Casebook or alternatives

  By 9 July of the year you sit Part II