Forensic Pathologist

Class Concept

This is specialized professional medical work in the determination of the circumstances and facts of certain types of death in North Carolina to determine their cause and manner. Employees are responsible for developing, maintaining, advancing, and carrying out the medical examiner system as provided for by General Statute 130, Article 21, and by the approved rules and regulations endorsed by the North Carolina Public Health Commission. Work is of a diagnostic nature in terms of death investigation and autopsy and requires utilization of acute skills in determining causes of death. Employees have significant contact with families and a variety of governmental agencies, hospitals, physicians, and others in the conduct of individual cases. Work requires consultation with medical examiners, attorneys, law enforcement officers, alcoholic beverage control officers, penal authorities, insurance company officials, and others to investigate, resolve, and determine the outcome of cases. Work is performed under the general guidance of the Deputy Chief Medical Examiner or the Chief Medical Examiner.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES PERFORMED

• Perform autopsies and medicolegal investigations to discover and diagnose a variety of death causing agents of an environmental, occupational, or medical nature.
• Perform investigations on cases received from county medical examiner systems throughout the state.
• Conduct pathological investigation of a variety of cases resulting in death.
• Gather evidence pertaining to the circumstances of death to properly identify the unknown dead; and secure information for the appropriate prosecution of the guilty.
• Examine fragments of tissue, skeletal fragments, decomposed bodies, stains, wounds, discolorations, or any abnormalities of bodies to determine cause and manner of death.
• Consult with individuals in public health programs, preventive programs for diseases, and medicolegal programs, to safeguard public health. Perform related duties as required.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, literature, and developments in the field of anatomical pathology.
• Thorough knowledge of the diversified specialized equipment, instruments, and materials required in all phases of pathology.
• Thorough knowledge of procedures involved in detecting, analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting manifestations and symptoms of physical conditions from pathological examinations.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, literature, and developments in the field of forensic medicine.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality to sensitive causes of death.
• Detailed knowledge in the specialized field of forensic pathology and skills in anatomical pathology.
• Ability to establish and maintaining effective working relationships with associates and the public.
• Ability to prepare forensic and medical articles and reports for publication.

Minimum Education and Experience

Eligible to obtain license to practice medicine in the state of North Carolina, board eligible/certified in Anatomic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology, and board eligible/certified in Forensic Pathology by the American Board of Pathology.