ABSTRACT
Forensic pathologists have a background in medical training and experience. They have generally undergone training in the area of anatomical and histopathology. Most have then undergone further training in clinical forensic medicine and forensic pathology, but in some instances, have trained specifically in forensic pathology. They then have special skills, and, to quote the Brodrick Report (1971):
Every police force needs to be able to call on the services of a specially experienced pathologist to help in the investigation of murder and other serious crimes against the person. Ideally, this person should be a pathologist with a sound training in [anatomical pathology] who has added to this general knowledge some additional skills, most notably the ability to detect, and give authoritative testimony about, unusual features of a dead body and the surrounding circumstances which may well be of evidential value.
