Forensic Pathology Rotation

Residents participate in a one-month rotation at the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner-Coroner during the latter part of the program. Residents perform forensic autopsies under the direction of experienced forensic pathologists, and have the opportunity to go to an at-scene examination, accompanying the investigator to the scene of a death.

The coroner's office has modern facilities, with many ancillary studies available on a routine basis. Gross and microscopic pathology are covered, and neuropathology consultants hold brain-cutting and consultation sessions each week. Follow-up of cases is provided with faxes of finalized reports sent to the resident for all autopsies in which they participated. Up to 40 autopsies are performed during this rotation, ensuring an overall adequate number of autopsies for board eligibility. Exposure to toxicology laboratory studies is also available during the rotation.

• Cases are assigned in the morning
• Autopsy is performed and reviewed with the faculty
• Histologic sections are taken the same or next day and reviewed before the resident signs out with the attending physician
  

• Weekly didactic lecture — Covers basic forensic pathology
• Mode conference — Equivocal suicide cases are examined by psychological autopsy
• Weekly forensic seminars
  

Upon request to the coroner’s office faculty.