Would you recommend one to major in such a rigorous science department that they are not so good at or to do something more lightly in the science department?

Hi Tiana,

The career you aim within the medicine forensic is forensic pathology:

Forensic pathologists are highly trained professionals. The role of a forensic pathologist is to establish the cause of death in the deceased. They perform autopsies when requested by a coroner or medical examiner. They study and analyze physical evidence that is used in criminal court cases.

Forensic pathologists are most commonly used when the cause of death is considered to be suspicious and the results are used within investigations of criminal law and civil law cases.

Forensic pathologists have many important duties within their jobs. Their most important duty is to use all the available information they have to help determine the cause and manner of death in the body they are performing the autopsy on.

Some of the types of investigations that a forensic pathologist will take out on a body include toxicologic, microscopic, photographic, radiologic, serologic and microbiologic studies.

They often have to travel to the scene of the crime to collect evidence including secretions and trace evidence. This is particularly the case in sexual assaults.

Forensic pathologists often have to reconstruct the scene when the crime occurred to try and work out how the person received their injuries.

First and foremost, forensic pathologists are trained as physicians, however they must also have working knowledge of several other non-medical sciences to help them be successful in their jobs. This includes being able to apply areas of toxicology, firearms examination, trace evidence, forensic serology and DNA technology to their investigation into the death of the person involved.

Forensic pathologists may also be required to appear in court as expert witnesses. Forensic pathologists with good communication skills and who are good in the court room will often be flown around the country to appear as a witness in court. They testify in a variety of criminal and civil court cases that involve death or injury.

In: http://www.forensicpathologist.com/duties-responsibilities/

Medical examiners, because they are medical doctors, must meet a specific set of professional standards and competencies and must be licensed to practice. According to the Department of Labor, medical examiners must:

• Graduate from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in one of the sciences, while focusing their curriculum on such areas as anatomy, cell biology and statistics


• Graduate from an accredited medical school


• Pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)


• Complete a course of graduate medical education in pathologic forensic training. This often includes training in anatomic and clinical pathology (usually 4 or 5 years), followed a residency in anatomic pathology or fellowship in forensic pathology (usually 1 year).


• Pass an examination and receive certification in anatomic pathology and forensic pathology through the American Board of Pathology (or anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and forensic pathology)


• Medical examiners often achieve employment through an appointment by a chief medical examiner, and they may be nominated by a local medical society.

It is important that if you are serious about becoming a forensic pathologist that you study the right subjects to help you gain entry into specific forensic pathology courses.

Whilst in high school you should study a broad curriculum and try to take as many Honors classes as possible. You should try to study four years each of English, math and science to show that you have a rounded knowledge. It is also important to take part in extra-curricular activities and work experience to make your application stand out from the thousands of others.

In: http://www.crimesceneinvestigatoredu.org/medical-examiner/
http://www.forensicpathologist.com/courses-programs/

Best!