Forensic Pathologist By: Stephanie Pomante, Alieen Lotito, Sam Corbo

Outlook This is an emerging career, gaining in popularity. The number of scientists employed in the U.S. has steadily risen, most employment for forensic scientists being in California, Florida, and Illinois, where population and crime rates have risen. Factors affecting this career are the density of the population, as more people are inevitably going to mean more crimes, the rising crime rates in many parts of the country, particularly in sexual attacks where forensic pathology is gaining favor as a preferred investigation method. Technology in Forensics in general is improving too.

Requirements Minimum of 14 years of post high school education and training. Knowledge on Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and other core sciences Undergraduate degree in medical or science discipline before completing 4 year medical school program

Requirements continued.. Licensing exam Enroll in a 4 year residency in anatomic & clinical pathology (if you pass licensing exam) 1 year extra of forensics pathology residency regional pathology and forensics pathology board exams

Salary $ 80,000- $200,000 per year Forensic pathologist with 20+ experience $272,000 including Insurance, vacations, and other benefits

Working Conditions Forensic Pathologists must ensure their evidence collection meets the proper procedures as well as coordinate with law enforcement. Some work full-time for the city, county, or federal government. Others work in hospitals, medical schools, or with private or group practices that contracts autopsy services to government agencies. Typical workday can be 10-12 hours or longer, especially if death site is far away. They spend most of their time in labs, performing autopsies, or examining tissue sample with a microscope. Involves standing for long periods and working with small tools. Rest of he day involves writing official reports and making court appearances. Forensic pathologists should be wary of emotional consequences of being exposed to graphic violence for too long.

The Murder of Leanne Tiernan In August 2001, a man walking his dog found the corpse of 16-year old Leanne Tiernan buried in a shallow grave. She had been missing since November 2000, last with best friend, walking home from a Christmas shopping trip. The forensic pathologist on the case estimated the time elapsed since her death and cause of death, and concluded that she had not been there since November, that her body was stored in low temperatures in the time before discovery of it, and she had died of strangulation.

Related Occupations Forensic Entomology: the study of insects which can be used to estimate time of death by studying insects found at the crime scene, based on what kinds are found and what stage in their life cycle. Forensic Dentistry: area concerned with examination of teeth, especially in cases where victims cannot be identified through normal means or in cases of victims being bitten.

Case Summary The Tamam Shud Case was a case that was occurring in Australia when a man was found dead in December 1948. The location was Somerton beach in Adelaide. They used a Forensic Pathologist to identify the man and the cause of death. A note that read “Tamam Shud” was found in his pocket, sewn. The phrase “Tamam Shud” was translated to ‘ended’ or ‘finished’. To this day, this case is remained unsolved; the Forensic Pathologists were unable to identify what had happened to the body or know what the note he had left meant.  

Forensic Odontologists Forensic Odontologists are dentists, specialized, that identify human remains and bite marks, using physical and biological dental evidence. Writes the reports on the findings and testify about conclusions in court. They establish who they belong to by using their teeth samples or remains.

Forensic Toxicologist A Forensic Toxologist uses toxicology and investigates crimes by identifying substances that are involved in the case and or crime. Test body fluids and tissue samples. They look for poisoning, drug use, etc. They use specific instruments to determine the liquids found in the body and the why they are found where they are found, or why they might be there.

Websites www.itsgov.com/forensic-pathologist-salary-requirements-education.html www.ampulse.com www.exploreforensics.co.uk www.explorehealthcareers.org http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/photos/10-of-the-worlds-biggest-unsolved-mysteries/tamam-shud-case

http://education-portal.com/articles/Forensic_Medicine_Careers_Job_Options_and_Requirements.html