How to Become a Forensic Pathologist

Learn About Forensic Medicine, Forensic Pathologists and Working in a Crime Lab

With the popularity of TV shows like CSI and movies such as The Bone Collector, more and more people are developing an interest in the field of Forensic Science, which involves forensic investigation. In reality, forensics has become a popular field with many opportunities for employment and career advancement. The forensic science field is actually a general field that features many divisions. One of those divisions is Forensic Pathology.

A Forensic Pathologist is typically the person you see on TV or on the big screen who examines crime scenes. Forensic Pathologists are trained physicians who specialize in anatomy. You can pursue courses in forensic pathology through several accredited online schools.

Here are some of the details for how to become a Forensic Pathologist and earn a high salary.

  1. Start early. Your Forensic Pathology career should actually start in high school. Take a lot of science and math courses such as biology, chemistry, calculus and physics, since you will need all of this when you attend medical school. This career path requires years of medical study. You will need to become a doctor.
  2. Get a bachelor’s degree in a pre-medicine program. Once you graduate high school, choose a school to earn your bachelor’s degree. Again, you will need to focus on forensic medicine by completing courses in the sciences. You are at this point on a career track to become a Medical Doctor, so enroll in programs focusing on biology, chemistry, or applied sciences. Make sure you have enough science credits to qualify for medical school.
  3. Take the MCAT. Upon getting your bachelor’s degree, you will need to take and pass the MCAT or Medical College Admission Test to apply and get into an accredited medical school. Check www.aamc.org/mcat for more details on the exam and how to register for it.
  4. Attend medical school. Once you pass the MCAT, find a list of medical schools to which you can apply. Bear in mind that most schools will have a minimum GPA requirement, so make sure to study hard during your college years. Go through the application process to get into the school. Complete the five-year program, including internships. Make sure to do your internship with a Forensic Pathologist, as the hands-on experience is very beneficial.
  5. Choose a residency program. Choose Anatomic Pathology as your residency program and complete it. The program takes about three years. You may want to increase your study in the field by taking Clinical Pathology as well. This will take another four years. Top off the whole training with a one-year fellowship at a Medical Examiner’s or Coroner’s office; this provides some of the best experience for Forensic Pathologists.
  6. Take the board exam. As soon as you complete your fellowship, you can continue your goal of a forensics career by taking the exams conducted by The American Board of Pathology. If you pass it, you will become a certified and licensed Forensic Pathologist. At that point, you may start working in a crime lab just like in the TV show CSI, or you can further your studies by getting a Ph.D. in Forensic Pathology.

Bear in mind that the whole process to reach the goal of becoming a Forensic Pathologist can be quite expensive. Make sure that you have the funds for it, or can at least secure a student loan that can cover your whole academic life. Don’t worry: Once you start working, pathologist jobs pay well; you should be able to pay for your loans in no time. In fact, some Forensic Pathologists earn around six figures a year.