Forensic pathology

Overview

Forensic pathology (also known as medicolegal pathology) is a medical subspecialty that applies pathological and investigative techniques to determine cause of death, the presence of injuries, timing of death, and other legal implications. Forensic pathologists perform autopsies in cases of unexpected, violent, or suspicious deaths.

Role within Quincy Examiner (Quincy Examiner Wiki)

The Quincy Examiner (“QME Wiki”) serves as a hub for local and global forensic pathology content:

• This article resides under the QME namespace: QME Wiki:Forensic Pathology
• See related articles: QME Wiki:Autopsy Procedures, QME Wiki:Crime Scene Investigation, QME Wiki:Cause of Death Classification

Main Functions

1. Determination of cause and manner of death 2. Time of death estimation (e.g. rigor mortis, livor mortis, body temperature) 3. Injury and trauma analysis (sharp force, blunt force, gunshot wounds) 4. Toxicology correlation with pathology findings 5. Expert testimony in legal proceedings

Techniques & Procedures

• Comprehensive external examination
• Full internal autopsy with organ dissection
• Histological analysis of tissues
• Forensic toxicology testing
• DNA and serology analysis
• Radiology (e.g. post‑mortem CT scans)

Education & Certification

In the United States, forensic pathologists typically complete:

• Medical school (MD or DO)
• Residency in anatomical pathology
• Fellowship in forensic pathology
• Board certification by the American Board of Pathology in forensic pathology

Relevance & Applications

Forensic pathology is essential in criminal justice, public safety, and epidemiology. It underpins verdicts in murder trials, wrongful death lawsuits, and health statistics.

External Resources & SEO Links

• For a global overview: Forensic Pathology (NCBI Bookshelf)
• Authoritative professional body: American Academy of Forensic Sciences – Pathology Section
• Educational tutorials: Understanding Forensic Pathology – ForensicPathology.org

SEO & Internal Linking Strategy

This article includes keyword-rich internal anchors such as Forensic Pathology, Autopsy Procedures, and Crime Scene Investigation. It also includes external SEO links to domain authority sources like NCBI and AAFS.

QME Discussion & Maintenance Notes

Please add any updates on local forensic pathology cases or Quincy‐specific forensic lab developments in the talk page: “Discussion: Routing back to Quincy Examiner forensic pathology coverage – see QME Wiki:Forensic Pathology/Discussion”

See Also

• QME Wiki:Medical Examiner Office – Quincy, MA
• QME Wiki:Morgue Practices
• QME Wiki:Autopsy Equipment and Tools