1. Forensic Pathologist Acheh Fonkem

2. Educational Requirements Helpful High School Courses Helpful High School Courses Anatomy and Physiology, Calculus, Chemistry, Foreign Language (minimum of two years), and Statistics and Probability High school diploma High school diploma 4 years of college, earning a bachelor’s degree in any major while completing course requirements for medical 4 years of college, earning a bachelor’s degree in any major while completing course requirements for medical school school 4 years of medical school, earning an M.D. or D.O. degree 4 years of medical school, earning an M.D. or D.O. degree 4-5 years of training in anatomic, clinical and/or forensic pathology, 4-5 years of training in anatomic, clinical and/or forensic pathology, 1 year of residency or fellowship in forensic pathology 1 year of residency or fellowship in forensic pathology Board certification after passing the exam Board certification after passing the exam

3. Working Conditions Pathologists tend to have a regular 40-hour workweek. Pathologists tend to have a regular 40-hour workweek. They may perform autopsies as part of their work responsibilities. They may perform autopsies as part of their work responsibilities. They spend a great deal of time discussing cases and test results with other doctors They spend a great deal of time discussing cases and test results with other doctors A typical workday can last 10-12 hours or longer, particularly if the forensic pathologist must examine a distant death site.

4. Tasks/Responsibilities Study the nature, causes, and development of diseases Study the nature, causes, and development of diseases Analyze human tissues and fluids Clinical pathologists concentrate on laboratory medicine Analyze human tissues and fluids Clinical pathologists concentrate on laboratory medicine Surgical pathologists study tissues taken from patients Surgical pathologists study tissues taken from patients studies the medical history, evaluates crime scene evidence including witness statements, performs an autopsy to uncover evidence of injury or disease, and collects medical and trace evidence from the body for further analysis.

5. Salary Range Average: Average: The average salary of a forensic pathologist ranges from $60,000 to $140,000 per year Those who have worked for about 5 years, can expect to earn more than $100,000 annually $200,000 if one has 10-15 years of experience

6. Advancements Many direct the activities of clinical laboratories in hospitals. Others teach at medical schools, conduct research, and/or write. Some become medical examiners. Many direct the activities of clinical laboratories in hospitals. Others teach at medical schools, conduct research, and/or write. Some become medical examiners. Some work full-time for the city, county, or federal government, while others work in hospitals, medical schools or with a private or group practice that contracts autopsy services to government agencies.

7. Desirable Characteristics challenging challenging lets them pursue their interests in scientific studies. lets them pursue their interests in scientific studies. They also enjoy regular work schedules. They also enjoy regular work schedules. Dedication Dedication

8. Info on Schooling Majors & Degrees Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Pre-Medicine Medical Residency Programs ** Medicine Medicine and Graduate Medical Programs ** Medicine Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences Cancer and Oncology Biology Pathology and Experimental Pathology Majors & Degrees Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Pre-Medicine Medical Residency Programs ** Medicine Medicine and Graduate Medical Programs ** Medicine Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences Cancer and Oncology Biology Pathology and Experimental PathologyPre-Medicine** Medicine** MedicineCancer and Oncology BiologyPathology and Experimental PathologyPre-Medicine** Medicine** MedicineCancer and Oncology BiologyPathology and Experimental Pathology

9. Info on Schooling Con’t Forensic Science Initiative, West Virginia University. Forensic Science Initiative, West Virginia University http://fsi.research.wvu.edu/ http://fsi.research.wvu.edu/ http://fsi.research.wvu.edu/

10. Why Forensic Scientist? Long, hard work. It takes a minimum of 13 years of education and training after high school to become a forensic pathologist. For that dedication is important. Long, hard work. It takes a minimum of 13 years of education and training after high school to become a forensic pathologist. For that dedication is important. Strength in all areas of science. Forensic pathology draws on biology, physics, chemistry, even psychology and anthropology. Strength in all areas of science. Forensic pathology draws on biology, physics, chemistry, even psychology and anthropology. Very good communication skills. Half the job of being a forensic pathologist is writing reports and giving testimony. Very good communication skills. Half the job of being a forensic pathologist is writing reports and giving testimony. Intestinal fortitude. Forensic pathology is probably the most gruesome, smelly, disgusting job in medicine. Intestinal fortitude. Forensic pathology is probably the most gruesome, smelly, disgusting job in medicine. Confidence in your skills. Forensic pathologists must defend their conclusions in the face of opposition from lawyers, the media and even the victims’ families. Confidence in your skills. Forensic pathologists must defend their conclusions in the face of opposition from lawyers, the media and even the victims’ families.

11. Bibliography Wiscareers Wiscareers http://wiscareers.wisc.edu/C_CVstuff/occinfo.as p?Area=edu&Num=00276&state=WI http://wiscareers.wisc.edu/C_CVstuff/occinfo.as p?Area=edu&Num=00276&state=WI http://wiscareers.wisc.edu/C_CVstuff/occinfo.as p?Area=edu&Num=00276&state=WI http://wiscareers.wisc.edu/C_CVstuff/occinfo.as p?Area=edu&Num=00276&state=WI Health Career Info Health Career Info http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/129/ Forensic_Pathologist http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/129/ Forensic_Pathologist http://www.buzzle.com/articles/forensic- pathologist-salary.html http://www.buzzle.com/articles/forensic- pathologist-salary.html