Forensics
Duration: One Month
Rotation Director(s): William C. Ralston III, MD
Faculty/ Instructor(s):
Gretel Stephens, MD
Jennifer Schott, MD
Karen Looman, DO
Description of Rotation
This rotation is intended to expose the resident to the practice of forensic pathology and to teach some basic techniques unique to forensic pathology.
Rotation Objective
During the rotation, the resident will attempt to attain a familiarity with the following areas through case work and reading of forensic literature.
- Understand the role of Medical Examiners and Coroners in death investigations.
- Use of scene investigation.
- Determination of post-mortem interval.
- Identification techniques through the use of the dental studies, radiographs and fingerprints.
- Interpretation of head and cervical spine injuries.
- Dissection of the cardiac conduction system.
- Forensic photography and other techniques of recording and collecting.
- Evaluation of violent death including deaths caused by electrocution, gunshot wounds, sharp force trauma, blunt force trauma, asphyxia, chemical agents, animal venom, fire and environmental exposure.
- Investigation of sudden and unexpected death, including death in infancy.
- Death certification with formulation of cause and manner of death opinions.
Daily Responsibilities
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Assist staff pathologists with autopsies.
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Review histology of autopsy cases.
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Attend daily, weekly and monthly conferences.
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Accompany staff pathologists to scenes.
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Observe courtroom testimony.
Evaluation
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Observation of work by staff pathologists.
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Oral discussions with staff pathologists.
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Resident Rotation Learning Objectives Checklist.