American author Susan Cheever observed, “Death is terrifying because it is so ordinary. It happens all the time.” While many humans may be terrified of death, a handful earn a living dealing with death. Forensic pathologists and coroners are two types of people with careers that deal with death regularly. Many people mistakenly assume that being a coroner is the only option available for anyone interested in pursuing a career heavily involving corpses and sleuthing, but in reality, it is only one of many. Coroners are known for certifying deaths under their jurisdiction, but their duties extend past signing death certificates. A forensic pathologist’s responsibilities are incredibly varied and crucial to nearly every homicide investigation.
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According to Purdue University College of Science, forensic pathologists need a minimum of thirteen years of post-high school education, including four years of undergraduate study in a medical or science field, four years in medical school to become a M.D., four years in an anatomic and clinical pathology residency, and one final year of forensic pathology residency. Reports vary slightly, however, and Explore Health Careers says, “A forensic pathologist must first earn a bachelor’s degree, then a medical degree, either an M.D. or D.O. Extensive additional education and training are required, including four to five years of training in anatomic, clinical and/or forensic pathology and a one-year residency or fellowship in forensic pathology.” These times can range from eleven to eighteen years, depending on the programs. Coroners generally spend much less time in school. Typically, a “bachelor’s degree in a field such as criminology, anatomy, medicine, forensic science, experimental pathology, pathology, physiology, or pre-medicine” is sufficient. Coroners are occasionally required to be a medical doctor, to have worked in the medical field, and have a forensic pathology certification. The only universal requirements are to have no felony convictions and to be a certain age, which can vary by state. Since the education requirements for forensic pathologists are more rigorous, it is difficult to become certified and …show more content…
The pathologist has to catalogue any unusual elements found on or inside a corpse and, from those fragments of information, try to reconstruct the past.” From this description, forensic pathology seems to be only about performing autopsies. In reality, it involves much more. A typical workday often lasts 10-12 hours and sometimes longer if the crime scene is far away. The majority of the time is spent performing autopsies, but a significant amount of time is used to write reports about findings from autopsies, crime scenes, or tests conducted in the lab. Often, forensic pathologists have to present their reports in court or to the victim’s family to provide closure. Coroners often decide whether to send the body to be autopsied or turned over to the family. Other coroner duties include determining a preliminary cause of death, overseeing and aiding other medical examiners, confirming the final cause of death, filing paperwork including death certificates, and overseeing disposal of unclaimed bodies. Most coroners are always on call, meaning that work hours will greatly vary. Neither job has normal hours, but the irregular schedules might discourage potential candidates without a true passion for the
According to Purdue University College of Science, forensic pathologists need a minimum of thirteen years of post-high school education, including four years of undergraduate study in a medical or science field, four years in medical school to become a M.D., four years in an anatomic and clinical pathology residency, and one final year of forensic pathology residency. Reports vary slightly, however, and Explore Health Careers says, “A forensic pathologist must first earn a bachelor’s degree, then a medical degree, either an M.D. or D.O. Extensive additional education and training are required, including four to five years of training in anatomic, clinical and/or forensic pathology and a one-year residency or fellowship in forensic pathology.” These times can range from eleven to eighteen years, depending on the programs. Coroners generally spend much less time in school. Typically, a “bachelor’s degree in a field such as criminology, anatomy, medicine, forensic science, experimental pathology, pathology, physiology, or pre-medicine” is sufficient. Coroners are occasionally required to be a medical doctor, to have worked in the medical field, and have a forensic pathology certification. The only universal requirements are to have no felony convictions and to be a certain age, which can vary by state. Since the education requirements for forensic pathologists are more rigorous, it is difficult to become certified and …show more content…
The pathologist has to catalogue any unusual elements found on or inside a corpse and, from those fragments of information, try to reconstruct the past.” From this description, forensic pathology seems to be only about performing autopsies. In reality, it involves much more. A typical workday often lasts 10-12 hours and sometimes longer if the crime scene is far away. The majority of the time is spent performing autopsies, but a significant amount of time is used to write reports about findings from autopsies, crime scenes, or tests conducted in the lab. Often, forensic pathologists have to present their reports in court or to the victim’s family to provide closure. Coroners often decide whether to send the body to be autopsied or turned over to the family. Other coroner duties include determining a preliminary cause of death, overseeing and aiding other medical examiners, confirming the final cause of death, filing paperwork including death certificates, and overseeing disposal of unclaimed bodies. Most coroners are always on call, meaning that work hours will greatly vary. Neither job has normal hours, but the irregular schedules might discourage potential candidates without a true passion for the