"Death detectives" are doctors who use their specialized knowledge of anatomy to determine how someone died or whether their injuries and wounds are consistent with their alleged causes of death.Coroners and medical examiners look at living patients for signs of physical or sexual abuse and conduct autopsies in a lab or a morgue.If you enjoy medicine and have an interest in investigating, you might want to become a forensic pathologist.
Step 1: If forensic pathology is the right path for you, consider it.
You should research the state of the profession before starting a specialized education.In the U.S. there is a shortage of forensic pathologists.The pay is low compared to other doctors who specialize in internal medicine, despite the high demand for this job.The mid-career salary of a forensic pathologist is between $150,000 and $180,000.Entry-level salaries for doctors entering into careers in hospital pathology are higher.The salaries of state-employed coroners and research assistants should be made public.Given the high cost of medical school, you should consider if you can pay off your student loans with this salary.
Step 2: You should prepare for your medical career in high school.
It's not too late to think about what you want to do as a doctor.In high school, take as many courses as you can in biology, chemistry, physics and psychology.If you enjoy these courses and can do well in them, you may want to go for a pre-med program in college.
Step 3: In college, focus on pre-med.
You should consider going to a school that has a strong pre-med program.Ask the admissions team how many of the college's graduates are accepted into medical school.You should take at least one full year of biology in college if you want to attend a medical school.You should take two years of biology in order to be a good candidate for medical school.General chemistry and organic chemistry.There are two semesters of the course.There is a mathematics and a statistics course.Composition and English literature.The behavior section of the MCAT requires a course in behavioral sciences.Take courses in forensic science, criminal justice, or other areas.
Step 4: There is a supportive advisor.
If your university has a focus on forensic pathology, you should work with a professor who focuses on this area.They can help you find an internship, take the lead on research projects, and write letters of recommendation for medical school.
Step 5: Gain experience.
If you are serious about working as a forensic pathologist, you will want to show your prospective medical school that.You could ask to shadow a doctor who works as a medical examiner.
Step 6: The Medical College Admissions Test can be taken.
In your sophomore year of college, you should talk to your advisor about taking the MCAT.If you want to start medical school in 2017, you should take the exam in 2016).Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills is one of the four sections that make up the MCAT.You will need to synthesise a lot of the material you have studied.You should use the on-line test from the Association of American Medical Colleges.Kaplan and other test prep businesses offer practice courses, but they can cost as much as $2200.Study courses and guides to the MCAT are offered by many pre-med programs.To prepare for the test, you should form a study group with your friends.The average score of the test-takers who got into medical school was 31.4 and the total grade point average was 3.69.Discuss your plans for re-taking the test with your advisor if your score was significantly below this.Most re-takings score between 1-2 points of their original score.
Step 7: Go to medical school.
If you are accepted into medical school, you should look for a program that focuses on forensic pathology.This will fall under the umbrella of Anatomical and Clinical Pathology.There is a first year in medical school.This will be the most difficult year in medical school.You will need to take a course in gross anatomy in order to learn how to use a scalpel.If you don't like working with corpses as a forensic pathologist, you should switch to medical school.You will take courses in histology and pathology.There is a second year in medical school.Your second year will include course work and clinical experience.There are many diseases you will encounter in a hospital or private practice here.This could include things like heart attacks, blood clot, and congestive heart failure.Third year in medical school.You will be practicing in a variety of different medical specialties during your clinical rotation this year.To arrange a clinical rotation in forensic pathology, you need the help of your program.There is a fourth year in medical school.You can spend an extended rotation in the field that you want to specialize in this year.You could spend this year in a county medical examiner's office.If you want to pursue a long-term career in forensic pathology, you will get a sense of the daily life of a forensic pathologist here.
Step 8: You can get an internship in forensic pathology.
An internship is the first position a doctor will get after graduating from medical school.The county examiner's office is one of the places where most internships for new medical examiners will be located.Private hospitals have forensic Pathologists on staff.You can use your connections from medical school to find a position in this setting.A trained forensic pathologist will be watching over you.Due to the shortage of forensic examiners, you might have to work long hours and conduct hundreds of autopsies over the course of the year.
Step 9: Pursue a four-year residency as a forensic pathologist.
After finishing their internship, doctors usually take a residency.You might take on more advanced work in your residency than you would as an intern.You might be responsible for analyzing toxicology reports or for preparing paperwork that is needed over the course of a death investigation.
Step 10: Become a forensic pathologist.
You will need to complete a one-year fellowship at an approved medicolegal investigation facility in order to gain specialization in the field.Make sure the facility you are completing your fellowship is approved by your local chapter of the American Board of Pathology.
Step 11: Become a forensic pathologist.
You can become a board-certified forensic pathologist after your fellowship, residency and internship.You need to have completed at least 50 autopsies in order to be certified.The exam will be given by the American Board of Pathologies.You can find exam dates and further information on the test by contacting your local chapter of the ABP.You need to have your certification renewed every ten years.If you move, you may have to get re-certified.
Step 12: Go to the coroner's office.
The coroner is an elected position in many countries.You may be able to propose legislation related to your field in this role.You will need to sign off on death certificates as a coroner.
Step 13: You should embrace advanced technology.
The field of forensic pathology is constantly evolving.Virtual autopsy technology is being tested by some medical examiner offices.If you have an interest in technology, you should look into it.
Step 14: Become a member of the National Association of Medical Examiners.
Membership in a professional organization is important because the United States only has half of the number of forensic pathologists it needs.Exchange professional knowledge and learn the latest developments in your field will be helpful.Young med students know forensic pathology is a viable career path if you are open to fostering new doctors and connecting with medical colleges.