Description
Physician forensic pathologist who directs medicolegal autopsies, pathology and toxicology testing, and scene and records review to investigate deaths within the jurisdiction, determine cause and manner, and certify findings in coordination with law enforcement, public health, and the courts.
- • Triage reported deaths to determine jurisdiction and required level of examination.
- • Perform medicolegal autopsies and external examinations, documenting injuries, disease, and evidence.
- • Collect, label, and submit specimens for toxicology, histology, microbiology, and DNA testing.
- • Order and interpret postmortem imaging, including radiographs and CT when indicated.
- • Determine cause and manner of death by integrating autopsy, scene, and records findings.
- • Complete and file death certificates and amendments per statutory requirements.
- • Review and, when appropriate, attend scenes to document body position and environmental conditions.
- • Authorize and oversee recovery and transport of remains while maintaining chain of custody.
- • Obtain and analyze medical, social, and prescription histories relevant to the death.
- • Coordinate and document next-of-kin identification and notification with investigators and law enforcement.
- • Communicate findings and case status to families with professionalism and sensitivity.
- • Prepare timely, detailed autopsy, investigative, and toxicology interpretation reports.
- • Testify as an expert at inquests, hearings, and criminal or civil trials.
- • Confer with law enforcement, prosecutors, and public health for case coordination and surveillance.
- • Supervise and train fellows, residents, technologists, and death investigators.
- • Maintain evidence integrity, including photography, radiographs, property inventories, and secure storage.
- • Authorize release of remains, tissue retention, and organ and tissue recovery in accord with law.
- • Facilitate disposition of unclaimed remains and release of personal effects to authorized parties.
- • Lead or participate in quality assurance, safety, and accreditation compliance for the office.
- • Contribute to mass fatality planning and response, including victim identification.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
