Forensic Medicine (FRMED-MD)

This elective will provide an orientation to basic forensic medicine for medical students. Daily activities include observation of large numbers of medicolegal autopsies, review of in-hospital deaths and out of hospital death scenes, participation in departmental conferences, and accompanying forensic pathologists to court when they testify as expert witnesses at criminal trials. Students also will have an opportunity to observe the operation of medical examiner toxicology, forensic biology and molecular genetics laboratories and forensic anthropology.

The Forensic Neuropathology Service provides consultation to the Medical Examiner by examining the central nervous system (CNS) in autopsy cases selected by the Forensic Pathologist. The purpose is to discover, characterize and document any pathologic lesions in the CNS that may be relevant to the cause and manner of death in unexplained circumstances. The Neuropathology staff examines approximately 30 cases per week. Each specimen typically consists of a formalin fixed brain, the dura mater and, in about 5% of cases, the spinal cord. The cases represent all age groups and any CNS abnormality that may be associated with unexplained death may be encountered.

This elective will provide an orientation to basic forensic medicine for medical students. Daily activities include observation of large numbers of medicolegal autopsies, review of in-hospital deaths and out of hospital death scenes, participation in departmental conferences, and accompanying forensic pathologists to court when they testify as expert witnesses at criminal trials. Students also will have an opportunity to observe the operation of medical examiner toxicology, forensic biology and molecular genetics laboratories and forensic anthropology.