Dr Megan Jenkins, Forensic Pathologist

It’s a challenging job as no two cases are ever the same, but for that reason I can’t see how it would ever get boring.

Can you tell us what forensic pathology is?

Forensic pathology is a medical specialty that applies medical knowledge and principles to the legal system. A forensic pathologist is a medical expert who gathers information and evidence to contribute to a wider criminal investigation into how and why a person has died.

Can you tell us about your average working day?

Talking about forensic pathology usually conjures images of mortuaries, post mortem examinations, scrubs and wellies, but actually this only forms one component of the job. It is an incredibly varied and unpredictable specialty, so it is difficult to describe an ‘average’ or typical working day.

Some cases start with a visit to the place of death (the “crime scene”). Then follows the post mortem examination, and later examination of small tissue samples down a microscope. After this, a lot of time is spent collating all of this information, along with the findings of the wider police investigation, in order to write the post mortem examination report. Eventually you might be required to attend Court to present this as evidence. So, while some days are spent at a microscope or typing reports, the rest of the time you’re working amongst a wide range of professions at crime scenes, in the mortuary or in court. There’s very rarely a dull day!

What kind of work does your job involve?

I’d summarise the bulk of the work with the following five points:

(1) Post mortem examinations – Clearly, central to the job.

(2) Histology – This involves examining small tissue and organ samples down a microscope, which might be to age a bruise or fracture, or to diagnose pre-existing natural disease.

(3) Interpretation of further investigations – Such as toxicology or microbiology results, radiology, neuropathology, ballistic reports, blood spatter analysis… the list goes on! Every case is unique and as forensic pathologists we’re very lucky to work alongside people from such a diverse range of professions.

(4) Communication – A forensic pathologist must be able to clearly communicate complex medical information to a variety of people; other healthcare professionals and laypersons alike. This often includes Coroners, police officers, lawyers, jury members, and the relatives of the deceased. Effective communication is a really important aspect of the job.

(5) Travelling – I spend a lot of time driving!

Why did you choose this specialty?

I was attracted to the specialty because it combines the use of practical skills along with the problem-solving aspects of a criminal investigation. A post mortem examination shares many similarities with surgery in that you need a good understanding of anatomy and have to work with your hands. You also have to be able to adapt your techniques depending on the nature of the case. It’s a challenging job as no 2 cases are ever the same, but for that reason I can’t see how it would ever get boring.

What do you enjoy most about your chosen specialty?

I enjoy spotting patterns and solving puzzles and I find manual work very fulfilling so, for me, forensic pathology combines all of these. A thorough and detailed post mortem examination is necessary to progress a murder investigation, so as a forensic pathologist it is easy to feel passionately about the job. As well as contributing to the criminal justice system, it’s really important to be able to provide answers to the relatives and friends of a person who has died. I think this is a really valuable aspect of the investigative process and lies at the heart of the role of a forensic pathologist.

What advice would you give to students looking to enter your field?

Get experience! It’s not how the TV dramas like to make out. I’m yet to interview a suspect or track down a witness, nor do I intend to. The TV also conveniently omits the maggots and flies, or the cold damp crime scenes in the depths of winter. It’s an unpredictable job that requires flexibility. So, I would certainly recommend that anyone interested in this career arrange an attachment so that they can experience the job first hand. Personally, I undertook my medical school elective in forensic pathology, and I’ve been hooked ever since.