JUSTICE AND MEDICINE - THE RARE ART OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGY

• NCJ Number: 65262
• Journal: Canadian Medical Association Journal Volume: 116 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 397,398,400,401,403
• Author(s): K HUNTER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Canadian Medical Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Canada

Annotation

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE DUTIES OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS IN MEDICOLEGAL EXAMINATIONS ARE PRESENTED, AS ARE AUTOPSY PROCEDURES AS USED BY ONTARIO'S FORENSIC PSYCHIATRISTS.

Abstract

IN ACTUAL PRACTICE, THE ROLE OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS IS TO CONDUCT MEDICOLEGAL EXAMINATIONS ON BEHALF OF CORONERS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTOR OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGY FOR ONTARIO, CANADA, THERE ARE FEW FULL-TIME FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS IN THE WORLD. IN 1975, 8,300 MEDICOLEGAL AUTOPSIES WERE ORDERED BY ONTARIO CORONERS AND MOST WERE DONE BY 248 PATHOLOGISTS IN THE PROVINCE ON A FEE-FOR-SERVICE BASIS ($150 PER AUTOPSY). AT A TORONTO CENTER IN 1975, FULL-TIME STAFF CARRIED OUT 108 MEDIOCOLEGAL AUTOPSIES, EXAMINED 21 SKELETAL REMAINS, AND PUT IN 54 COURT APPEARANCES. IF POLICE HAVE NO INFORMATION ON A PERSON'S IDENTITY, THEN FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS CAN EVALUATE CERTAIN PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS (SEX, AGE, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, BUILD, ABNORMALITIES, COLOR, SHOE AND WAIST SIZE, AND LIFESTYLE). THE TRAINED FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST CAN TELL IF PERSONS ARE RIGHT-HANDED OR LEFT-HANDED AND IF THEY DO MANUAL OR SEDENTARY WORK BY EXAMINING BONES. CERTAIN SKULL FEATURES ARE UNIQUE TO EACH PERSON. FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS CAN MATCH WEAPONS TO WOUNDS. INJURY PATTERNS CAN HELP IDENTIFY THE WEAPON USED, THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INJURY, OR BOTH. FABRIC PATTERNS CAN BE MATCHED ON THE VICTIM'S BODY TO PIECES OF CLOTH LOCATED ELSEWHERE. FIELDS OF BASIC RESEARCH, APPLIED SCIENCE, AND CRIMINALISTICS AID FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS. SEVERAL RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED TO DEVELOP IMPROVED IDENTIFICATION METHODS. THE LANGUAGE OF FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS IN COURTS HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON JUROR ATTITUDES. NO FORMAL TRAINING FOR FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS IS AVAILABLE IN CANADA. IN THE UNITED STATES, HOWEVER, SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET TO BECOME A CERTIFIED FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST. (DEP)