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There are many experts who play a role in the successful apprehension of a criminal, but none so popularized in fiction, television and movies as the Forensic Pathologist.  Of course, with so much information available, writers will have dig, sift and sort through piles of garbage to find a valuable scrap of truth.  

According to Deborah G. Johnson, a board-certified forensic pathologist in Colorado:

“Pathology is literally the study of disease. Forensic pathology applies what is known about disease, along with all of medical science; to legal problems….The primary role of the forensic pathologist is to determine the cause and manner of death. In most jurisdictions, the manner of death is limited to one of five categories: homicide, suicide, accident, natural and undetermined.”  (1)

Forensic Pathologists perform autopsies, examining bodies for any clues that can determine the cause and manner of  “unnatural” deaths.   They begin with a thorough examination of the skin, searching for cuts, marks, bruising or any sign of trauma. Anatomic pathology includes surgical, autopsy and diagnostic pathology.  Clinical pathology includes the laboratory diagnostics required once an autopsy is conducted, including hematology (blood analysis) and toxicology (poison, drugs, etc).

In 1981, college football player Ron Settles was pulled over by police and charged with assaulting a police offer and possession of cocaine.  He was found dead in his cell 40 minutes after being booked at the station.  The autopsy report confirmed the cause of death was suicide, however, his family didn’t believe he would kill himself with such a bright future.

One year later, Settles’ body was exhumed and an independent autopsy was conducted by Dr. Michael Baden

There were indications of a choke hold, including eye hemorrhages and a damaged larynx.

Clues to the cause of death can linger long after death has occurred. 

Robert Jurgens recalls waking in the night and witnessing the death of his adopted brother, 3 year old Dennis.  When Dennis’s biological mother decided to find her son years later, she discovered Dennis had died of peritonitis. She found a news article which stated the baby’s body bore bruises and injuries when it was discovered and immediately knew her son had been beaten to death. She followed up on her suspicions by contacting authorities. 

Dennis Jurgens’ body was exhumed and miraculously well preserved.  The medical examiner was able to find an injury to the boy’s bowel, which spilled toxic materials into his body. 

The 62 year old adopted mother was brought to justice for the death of her son.  Her surviving son testified against his mother, recalling terrible events growing up. 

As a crime, mystery writer, you should thoroughly research the various roles and duties of pathologist who assist police in investigations.  Following are a list of Forensic terms from the University of Utah, Library of Medicine:

Incision: Produced with a sharp edge (just as a surgical scalpel blade is used to make a surgical incision)

Puncture: Made by a sharp, pointed instrument.

Abrasion: Produced by a scraping injury

Laceration: Tearing injury from a blunt object.

Contusion: A bruise made in soft tissue by a blunt object.

Symptoms of Abuse: Multiple contusions of varying ages in multiple body regions

1. Johnson, Deborah: Forensic pathology: separating fact from fiction - Clinical Issues, August 2003, Retrieved January 2008