Forensic Medicine – Online Schools & Degree Programs

Forensic medicine is a fascinating career path that has gained mainstream recognition due to its central role on popular medical dramas and law enforcement shows currently in high rotation on your TV. As represented on television, forensic medicine is the bridge between healthcare and law enforcement. Unlike on television, however, forensic medicine isn’t just working alongside detectives in a police station laboratory. In fact, forensic medicine is a broad term that encompasses a large number of medical skills used in the service of justice. Forensic medicine practitioners can expect to be called on to perform a wide variety of tasks, from ascertaining the validity of a signature on a document to determining the cause of death in a murder trial. At its most basic level, forensic medicine is the pursuit of the truth through the analysis of all available evidence.

Duties

Forensic medicine is a science and therefore is a good career choice for individuals interested in science, medicine, and healthcare. It is unique among scientific disciplines for its connection to law enforcement and justice. Most forensic scientists are public servants and will find employment through local governments, however it is also possible to work for private employers such as clinics and universities. Anyone interested in a career in forensic medicine should be a good communicator, along with being a critical and detail-oriented scientist. As a forensic medicine professional, you will most likely be called upon to testify about your findings in a court of law.

Like other medical disciplines, forensic medicine encompasses a number of different professions. Which profession is the correct choice for you is dependent upon your education, experience, and personal interest. The following is a list of the most commonly cited professions in forensic medicine:

• Medical Examiner – More commonly known as a coroner, the medical examiner is employed by the government to examine corpses of victims who’s death may have been caused by dubious means, such as murder.
• Forensic Pathologist – Like a medical examiner, a forensic pathologist is charged with determining the cause of death. However, instead of studying the body, a pathologist analyzes evidence found on the body that may indicate violence.
• Forensic Nurse – Assists forensic physicians by running tests, managing relevant medical data, and providing comfort to victims of violence and other crimes.
• Lab Technician – A forensic lab tech, like other medical technicians, runs tests and analyzes results garnered from evidence collected by the medical examiner or forensic pathologist. Techs may specialize in toxicology, ballistics, and polygraphs, among other methods of data collection.
• Forensic Consultant – A forensic consultant is akin to a freelance expert employed by lawyers and other specialists to provide testimony on evidence during trail. They may also serve as consultants on the law and medical dramas mentioned above.
• Forensic Physician’s Assistant – Like a forensic nurse, a forensic physician’s assistant may be in charge of running diagnostic tests and analyzing results. However, a physician’s assistant is also legally allowed to examine the victim and run more complex tests. With the correct licensing, a physician’s assistant may perform duties usually reserved for the physician in the absence of the latter.
• Crime Lab Director – The director manages a team of forensic specialists and is responsible for running many of the more complex tests and evidence collection methods. If required, the crime lab director will document the results of the forensic tests for criminal or civil trials.

Education

Attaining the right credential is the first step in embarking on a new career in forensic medicine. What kind of forensic medicine you wish to practice will determine what credential is the best. For example, to work as a medical examiner or forensic physician you will have to earn a medical degree, which can take over 7 years to complete (including undergraduate education). Many forensic medicine professionals have earned an Associates Degree in Forensic Medicine, supplemented with work experience. If you want to work as a forensic nurse or a physician’s assistant, there are both B.S. and M.S. programs that will equip you with the necessary skills to begin professional life immediately after completing the coursework. To decide what degree track is correct for you, study the educational requirements for the area in which you are interested and investigate the time commitment necessary to complete the requisite coursework.