Pathologist a scientist who studies the causes and effects of diseases, especially one who examines laboratory samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.

What do they do on their day to day role? Day-to-day duties might include: examining the results of blood tests, smear tests and tissue removal explaining test results and giving advice on further medical assessments treating diseases and making sure blood transfusions are safe developing vaccines against infectious diseases and inherited conditions researching and developing new tests and treatments organising work in laboratories and supervising other laboratory staff attending meetings with other health professionals to discuss the treatment of individual patients forensic - performing autopsies for medical and legal purposes  Forensic Access is frequently called upon by the defence, the prosecution and private individuals to assist with cases involving forensic pathology. The cases with which we can assist are not only on deceased persons, but also on the living. Our most common types of cases include: assaults Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) child cruelty & child abuse domestic abuse Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) murder / manslaughter rape & sexual assaults wounding These cases usually involve us investigating, for example: causation of injuries comment on force used to cause injuries or examination of photos of injuries post mortems and 2nd post mortems reviewing post mortem reports

What other agencies do they work with? Assistants Police photographers Toxicologists Forensic dentists Biochemists Pharmacologists Microbiologists

What do they do cont. Forensic Access is frequently called upon by the defence, the prosecution and private individuals to assist with cases involving forensic pathology. The cases with which we can assist are not only on deceased persons, but also on the living. Our most common types of cases include: assaults Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) child cruelty & child abuse domestic abuse Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) murder / manslaughter rape & sexual assaults wounding These cases usually involve us investigating, for example: causation of injuries comment on force used to cause injuries or examination of photos of injuries post mortems and 2nd post mortems reviewing post mortem reports

Evidence they might collect Blood types Bodily fluids Determining cause of death DNA fingerprinting Estimating time of death External examination Identifying the victim Performing an autopsy The rate of decay in a corpse

Specialist equipment Semiautomatic blood analyser Electrolyte analyse Blood cell counter ESR analyser Haemoglobinmeter Elisa reader Cytocentrifuge Urine analyser Digital HB meter Centrifuge machine Ultasonic cleaner Hemoglobin & heamatocent analyser Fully biochemistry analyser Phamacutical refrigerator Dtd water purifier

How long does it take to train? To become a doctor specialising in pathology you need: 5-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC) 2-year foundation course of general training 5 or 6-year specialist training programme in pathology You cannot become a pathologist without some form of medical degree in either vetenairy, dentistry or doctor If you don't have qualifications in science, you may be able to take a 6-year degree course in medicine, which includes a one-year pre-medical or foundation year. If you already have a degree in a science subject (minimum 2:1) you could take a 4-year graduate entry programme into medicine. Pathology training then takes a minimum of five years in the UK, with two fairly hard exams on the way. Also, most pathologists develop a particular interest in the diseases of an organ or system - mine is the skin (dermatopathology - skin biopsies from the living) and perinatal pathology (miscarriages, stillbirths and terminations). In some hospitals you'll only do specimens within your specialty, but in most you'll see a mixture, but provide a lead in your area of interest. If you want to be a Forensic Pathologist, you have to start your training in general histopathology, and then specialise after a minimum of about 2 years. So, that is about 12 years in total until you become a consultant pathologist, although you will be (well) paid for the last 7 years of that. 

How do you get into this job? You have to complete a 5 year degree in medicine which has been recognised by the General Medical Council (GMC), 2 year foundation course of general training and also 5-6 year training programme specialising in pathology.

Evaluation Salary: Starter: £26,350 to £45,750 (doctors in training) Experienced: £37,500 to £70,000 (specialty doctors) Highly Experienced: £76,000 to £102,500 (consultants) Consultant pathologists working in the private sector may be paid more. Working hours: Required to work 48 hours per week Pathology training then takes a minimum of five years in the UK, with two fairly hard exams on the way. Also, most pathologists develop a particular interest in the diseases of an organ or system - mine is the skin (dermatopathology - skin biopsies from the living) and perinatal pathology (miscarriages, stillbirths and terminations). In some hospitals you'll only do specimens within your specialty, but in most you'll see a mixture, but provide a lead in your area of interest. If you want to be a Forensic Pathologist, you have to start your training in general histopathology, and then specialise after a minimum of about 2 years. So, that is about 12 years in total until you become a consultant pathologist, although you will be (well) paid for the last 7 years of that. 

Strengths Limitations If you have a lot of experience then you get paid a lot of money. There is a lot of training required before you start and is very long. They get a very high matching life and/or disability insurance. (£401k) There aren’t many pathologists registered in the UK. Can be interesting at times. High possibility of obtaining an infectious disease. They get paid holidays and paid sick leaves. Stressful and high pressure. Its very graphic meaning that it could be upsetting.