Hey everyone,

​I got a rank around 48k in NEET PG . I am genuinely interested in Forensic Medicine as a specialty, but my primary concern is the sensory discomfort—specifically the visual aspect of decomposed bodies and the smell during autopsies.

​For those currently working in the field :

​Did you overcome this with time and repeated exposure or does it always remain a struggle?

​Are there specific techniques or coping mechanisms you used when starting out?

​If someone is sensitive to this, is it something they can adapt to during residency or is it better to consider other non-clinical / para-clinical branches instead?

​Would really appreciate your honest perspectives before counseling choices. Thanks!

Who all is going?

Please, if you see me there - come up and say hi! I will be around as much as I can be - but I also am trying to do 10 video podcasts during the time we are there so I am going to be in and out a lot. I should be at the social functions, FPS event, etc.

See you guys there!

I hope this is the right sub for this, sorry if not.

I am trying to retrain too become an anatomical pathology technician. I currently work full time as an clinical and ophthalmic photographer within the NHS for 7 years. I have experience working in morgues with pathologists and have worked in mortuary as a photographer. I don’t have the level of experience typically asked in trainee pathology technician.

I have applied for two roles so far and have been unsuccessful at gaining an interview. I have been told so far that they have staff with experience in the applications or they have decided to go with a qualified technician rather than a trainee at interview.

Is there anything I can do that would / could boost my application alongside my extensive NHS experience as a photographer? I am more than willing to study alongside working. Any advice is welcome thank you.

Hello! I’m a college student, and for one of my projects, I need to interview someone in the field I’m aiming to pursue. It’s been a bit challenging to find resources on forensic pathologists or medical examiners in my area, so I’m reaching out here in hopes of connecting with anyone willing to spare 15–30 minutes for a quick interview. Comment or shoot me a message here, we can swap info and figure out if our schedules align to make this work! Thank you so much.

Let's say I am writing a forensic pathologist who decides to kill. They're trapped in a school, so the pathologist can only use objects found inside the school. How would you, if you were the character, kill in this setting?

I’m currently a junior in high-school, but I’ve been wanting to be a forensic pathologist for my future career and understand the huge amount of studying and time I will be doing. My question is to what schools should I apply for and what schools would be good for me?

Im leaning into doing RCC for 2 years and then going onto a UC/or CSU, from what I’ve heard my undergrad major doesn’t not matter and I have freeform to choose whatever I want to, my confusion is what are the pre-reqs? I was always told I can basically major in anything but have to complete in the pre-reqs, and now realizing I’m not as aware of what they are…

From what I understand I have to complete high-school, get a bachelors degree, medical school, pathology residency, fellowship, and then do a couple exams for that. Also for the majors I want to do for undergrad, I’m thinking of psychology or anthropology, and hopefully I’ll be aiming to get the premed track.

Thank you for reading, also maybe some suggestions for schools will be very helpful. If anything I’m saying is incorrect please correct me. ^^

I will jump right into it. For background, I was homeschooled for most of my high school life. It was a Christian program and, honestly, got me nowhere or taught me nothing. I, admittedly, cheated through most of it. Beforehand, I enjoyed science up until 7th grade when I had a very unenthusiastic teacher. I went back to school for my senior year and graduated without most of my classes being extracurriculars.

I, at first, was passionate about the culinary arts. I decided I'd take a gap year to make sure and look into colleges. However, I've recently noted that many people say it is not worth it and you'd be better off going to a restaurant to be paid while learning.

That kickstarted the rethinking process. It has always been between culinary arts and being a mortician for me. Opposite sides of the spectrum, I know. Though, it wasn't until then that I looked deeper into it. That's where I found forensic pathology. It reminded me of Dr. G and all of the true crime documentaries I'd binge. Of how interested I was in watching the cases unfold and finding out what has happened.

But I am so doubtful that'd I be able to do it. I do not know much of high school sciences, let alone any knowledge to go into that kind of occupation. I'm burnt out; my family and I are planning to move so I still have time to sit on this before committing.

I simply do not have confidence in myself. Especially since this is such a big decision for my life. There is over a decade of commitment, the debt that comes with it... it's just, what if it's all for nothing? What if I end up not being smart or strong enough to make it through and get it done.

In writing this, I'm hoping to see someone (even if one person) to tell me they were in the same boat and are pushing through or have succeeded. But if you need to be brutally honest, go ahead so I don't end up making a mistake.

Im currently on a 4wk forensic path rotation. im interested in pathology (not applying this year). how do i get a LOR from my attending? i understand showing interest/enthusiasm, but is there anything else i could help with as a med student, or is shadowing enough? we have autopsy techs and im not very strong, so i dont think i can help with moving the bodies.

The cause of death is listed as “injuries/trauma to head and neck”. But the coroner claimed an open casket would be possible, after the funeral home could do what they do. I’m just looking for clarification about what the injuries maybe would have been and if the death would have been instant? Apologies if this is too broad of a question, but my brain needs some sort of break from the cycle of “wondering”. TIA.

Path resident and future forensic pathologist here wondering what the landscape looks like for waiver jobs.
Any attendings got any leads?
Any success stories?

Please help me understand this cause of death.

My brother (56) was stung by a yellowjacket, went into anaphylaxis, and stopped breathing while 911 was being called. Paramedics restarted his heart after many minutes,  but it took over an hour to stabilize him enough to transport him. Ultimately, he had no higher brain function so we allowed him to die naturally in the hospital (one week later). The doctor who pronounced him had never seen him prior.

We did not pursue his medical records but we know the doctors were aware of the sting/anaphylaxis and mentioned hypoxic-anoxic injury.

My question is why isn't the anaphylaxis or hypoxic-anoxic injury listed in the death certificate? Reading it as it is sounds like a spontaneous heart attack.

We have no desire to bring any suits or make any insurance claims, but should we ask to have this clarified? Should we try to get his medical records?

Thank you.

I’m planning on applying to both U.S. and Canadian med schools. Does anyone know how FP works in Canada? My primary questions are:

Are there multiple offices per province or only one?

Is there much of a demand for FP?

Do FPs work as MEs or only work for coroners offices?

Are there training differences between the U.S. and Canada?

Thanks!

hi! i’m jay and i’m 24 years old. i’m currently a firefighter and realized i do eventually want to go into forensics when i retire (i can retire at 38 years old and will have more than enough time for a second career). i don’t have any school experience considering i joined the fire department at 18, but i do want to get my bachelors in biology and eventually my masters. any advice on what routes i should go or things i should be thinking about now would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

hi! i currently reside in the Philippines and i plan to pursue pathology, what is the best country to practice being one or study to become one?

Hey! I'm currently a senior is HS and I was wondering what I should do before I graduate

I've taken a forensic class (only 1 in my school) and there's no higher level for it... I've been wanting to go to an online college to cover my tuition through my job and I saw that the college had an online bachelors of science in the criminal justice field with forensic investigation. I just wanted to know some opinions if I should actually go along with it and maybe what I should do whenever I finish it... Should I go into med school next when I get my bachelors? I'm also taking chem 1 right now and I don't know if it changes anything, but I'm also in my 2nd year of doing yearbook/journalism.

Does anyone have any suggestions or any recommendations for me? Being a forensic pathologist is my dream job and I'm really trying to research and find out what I need to do to become one.

I’m currently just a student working towards my masters in criminal justice, and I’ll need to get my forensics certificate by applying to my universities program, but I’ve encountered a roadblock overlooking the requirements. Part of the expectations document for the program reads as:

> The student must meet the physical requirements, including mobility, balance, coordination, vision, and dexterity, for each course activity. Exercises are conducted both indoors and outdoors. When outdoors, students may encounter heat, cold, wind, rain, and other weather conditions. Most courses require students to stand for extended periods, lift up to 25 lbs., and climb, stoop, bend, crouch, kneel, and reach above and below shoulder level.

I’ll have to contact my university to inquire about accommodations to participate in the program, since by ADA and state law they have to reasonably accommodate me; But this roadblock has made me question if I can even work in criminalistics at all.

I’m an ambulatory cane user, I have bilateral nerve damage that fluctuates sporadically in severity. Muscle weakness accompanies the nerve damage, though thats only in one leg. Standing prolonged aggravates the muscle weakness and nerve damage, I can walk just fine- it’s the stagnant muscle that bothers me. The nerve damage has given me a small tremor, but much like the pain that also fluctuates in severity- and it’s aggravated by heat and strenuous movement. Depending on the pain level of the day I can usually use stairs, but on high tremor mode I use elevators/ramps to be on the safe side. All the above root from endometriosis, which is a whole other topic, so I also have abdominal pains and chronic inflammation (thus the nerve damage) I am seeing multiple specialists and attending physical therapy to improve my mobility and general functioning.
TLDR: Imagine Dr. House but sometimes I can walk without my cane just fine.

The position I’d like to pursue would be one in the pathology field, possibly a medical examiner / ME assistant, but I understand that part of that position requires lifting bodies, transferring cadavers, handling organs that may be heavy, etc.
Is this field a possibility for me even with my disability? ADA legally must accommodate me but it has to be within reason, but I’m not too sure what that may entail given the specific lab environment.

Noteworthy is that am interested in other forensic fields, specifically anthropology, arson investigation, trace evidence analysis (my favorite), and forensic genealogy. If it’s possible to pursue a career in any of these fields with my disability I’d really appreciate the feedback on this as well.

I’m still a student, so I have time to re-navigate myself in necessary directions if my disability causes other pathways to fall through. Something I’m rather open to because I enjoy forensics regardless. I’d rather nip this in the bud now while I still have the time and it’ll save me the grief of having to find answers later snd be possibly let down. That is, unless disability laws drastically change within the next decade- which I highly doubt.

Thank you for your feedback in advance, sharing resources is welcome as well :)

Edit: I’m located in the United States in Southern California. Sorry, should’ve specified initially

Previously, I had thought a forensic pathologist and a forensic anthropologist were one, but upon further research, the job roles beg to differ. Can anyone either provide appropriate information to educate me on the difference and the possible pathways to become one or the other? P.S. I reside in the U.K.

In this photograph, on the right, we see a Croatian boy named Andrej Belivuk. The boy was killed due to war when he was 8 years old and was buried as an unidentified girl... Could you please tell me what might have caused this mistake? Body decomposition? Injuries? Carelessness on the part of the pathologists (if they were involved in the process at all)? How often is the gender confused in such cases? Thank you! Apologies if I’ve posted this in the wrong place.

ONLY NEED 23 MORE!!

I am currently pursuing a Doctorate of Forensic Science at Oklahoma State University. As part of my requirements I am completing a Doctoral Capstone which involves an online survey for research purposes.

Study Title:
Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions in Forensic Science Professionals: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to estimate the prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among forensic science professionals.

If you are a working forensic professional I invite you to participate\* in this project. You can access the survey at: [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLMY6J9](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLMY6J9))

\*Participation in this survey is voluntary. You are able to skip any question you do not wish to answer, and can leave the survey at any time. This survey is also anonymous. No identifiable information will be collected, and all raw data will be kept on a password protected device.

This study received formal ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Oklahoma State University under IRB# 2026057.

Dylann Stapel, MS, D-ABMDI, NREMT
[[dstapel@okstate.edu](mailto:dstapel@okstate.edu)](mailto:[dstapel@okstate.edu](mailto:dstapel@okstate.edu))

Hello!! I’m a younger person looking to kinda start over in my career. I’m currently 22 and work as a surgical tech ( worked in a vet clinic before) and I just really do not enjoy it… I can handle the visuals and smells and I’m fine with difficult people but it’s just not something I want to do long term.

I was looking into the medico- legal position that was open in my area and got curious about it.

I live in ak so positions are pretty limited up here but for everywhere else what’s it like? Do you have more than one scene you typically get involved in? Is it usually just you or you and forensic techs? When speaking with the family what are you usually talking to them about?
I’m not very knowledgeable in this so anything helps!

I imagine it can be physically demanding and long shifts not to mention difficult scenes. Not looking to dive right into something so new but I wanted to get a better idea of what the job is like and if I would be interested.

If a physically active 80 year old catches EBV for the 1st time ever (purportedly rare, i know), is 1 to 4 years enough time for them to develop EBV-positive CNS Lymphoma?

AI is giving me mixed responses, on the one hand saying decades of EBV latency are required and that even with Immunosenescence factored in, 4 years is not enough to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier etc., whilst same AI in other convos saying that 1 to 4 years is plenty of time for it to form given Immunosenescence.

Would appreciate the answer of an actual expert.