- Forensic pathologists work in a medical examiner's or coroner's laboratory and help law enforcement solve crimes. Their job duties include performing autopsies, investigating injuries and communicating the findings of their work.
- Forensic pathologists perform autopsies on bodies in order to determine how people died. This process, which on average takes a few hours, involves examining bodily fluids and tissues to identify the cause of death and manner of death---which can be suicide, homicide or natural causes.
- Forensic pathologists also investigate patterns of injuries in both the dead and the living. This information is helpful in cases concerning elder and child abuse.
- Forensic pathologists are often called in to court to testify about their findings, which requires the ability to communicate with juries, judges and attorneys who do not have medical backgrounds.
- Forensic pathologists receive their bachelor's degree in a scientific field and then go on to medical school. During their residency years, they will enter a training program for general pathology.
