I have recently attended a National Medical Student's Conference in UP Manila and among the top speaker is Dr. Raquel Fortun. She talked about Forensic Medicine and being only one of the two Forensic Pathologists in the country. The topic and the specialty is only emerging as the practice is not formally recognized and institutionalized in the Philippines. I have learned a lot from her and was inspired to share the tidbits and facts about this road less travelled.
PhotoCredit: Wikimedia
Forensic pathology is a sub-specialty of histopathology, and is concerned with the application of pathological principles to the investigation of the medico-legal aspects of death.
Forensic pathologists are medically trained, specialized, qualified doctors who perform autopsies (postmortem examinations) on those who have died suddenly, unexpectedly, or as a result of trauma or poisoning.
The forensic investigation of death is a multi-disciplinary activity, involving the collaboration between pathologists, crime scene investigators (CSIs), forensic scientists, and other specialists, such as anthropologists, entomologists, odontologists (dentists) and many other experts.
Autopsy findings are combined with the results of other investigations, including the microscopic examination of organs and tissues removed at autopsy, toxicological analyses (of blood and urine, for example), and correlated with the available clinical or medical history of the deceased, as well as the circumstances of their death, in order to answer questions relating to their death.
Autopsy findings are combined with the results of other investigations, including the microscopic examination of organs and tissues removed at autopsy, toxicological analyses (of blood and urine, for example), and correlated with the available clinical or medical history of the deceased, as well as the circumstances of their death, in order to answer questions relating to their death.
The issues raised by a death may include:
- identification of the deceased,
- the medical cause of death,
- the interpretation of injuries, and
- the manner of death (in some jurisdictions), i.e. accident, suicide or homicide
According to Dr. Fortun, in order to be a forensic pathologist, one must first specialize in Pathology for 4 years then sub-specialize in Forensic Medicine for 1 year. I have attached a lecture slide of Dr. Fortun about the specialty. Please note that this slide is incomplete as the pictures of actual cases and sensitive information were removed.
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