BMS 7668: Forensic Pathology 15-16

Prior approval required

Contact:

Sally Lamar
slamar@health.usf.edu

Report to:

Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, Main Entrance
8:00 AM on the first scheduled day

Objectives

1. Learn to correlate autopsy findings with clinical information and information derived from scene investigations
2. Learn to complete death certificates in a manner acceptable to the Office of Vital Statistics and the World Health Organization
3. Learn anatomy pertinent to the future clinical practice specialty of the student
4. Gain an understanding of the working relationships between forensic pathologists and other professionals, including those in law enforcement, the Office of the State Attorney, the defense bar, the funeral industry, the press, and other medical specialties

Methods

• Assist with autopsies on the bodies of persons dead from suicide, accident, and natural disease by performing dissections and medical chart review under the supervision of staff pathologists
• Review pertinent medical literature for selected cases
• Accompany staff during testimony under oath at criminal and civil trials and at depositions.
• Accompany staff during death scene investigations (evening and night call-out optional)
• Participate in departmental conferences. These comprise a working case conference thrice weekly, a pending (cause-of-death opinion deferred to further study) case conference weekly, a photo review conference weekly, and a fixed brain and heart cutting conference weekly
• Present an informal talk on a topic of personal interest related to autopsy pathology or anatomy for extra credit