Forensic Pathology is a service provided to the Coroners and Police Authorities to investigate violent or suspicious deaths. Forensic Pathologists work within regional group practices which are independent of the Police Service, NPIA and the Home Office. They are currently structured in such a way that they can be self employed pathologists or employed in a number of different organisations, including university departments, The National Health Service (NHS) or independent forensic science providers.

How does a person become a forensic pathologist?

The educational and training requirements to enter into a medical career and then to specialise in forensic pathology are governed and controlled by the following bodies:

• Postgraduate Medical Education & Training Board  -  GMC
• Royal College of Pathologists 

These bodies can provide help and guidance in pursuing a career within forensic pathology.

The length of time to complete the training from initial entrance into the medical profession to being a registered forensic pathologist is 14 years, with the final 3 years being funded by the NPIA.

Home Office Role

The HO oversees the Forensic Science Regulator , who sets the national standards for forensic science within England and Wales. The HO also has ownership of the register of forensic pathologists. Entrance onto the HO register of Forensic Pathologists is controlled by the Pathology Delivery Board (PDB) and in particular by its sub committee, Registration and Training, which reviews all applications on behalf by the PDB.  View the Register here.

The NPIA have recently introduced an Emeritus Register for forensic pathologists, who are semi retired and no longer undertake on call investigations into suspicious deaths on behalf of the police. However, they do offer defence work or advice  to the criminal justice system. 

NPIA - Police, Science and Forensics Unit Role

The role of the NPIA, through the Police, Science and Forensics Unit (PS&FU) is to monitor and maintain the pathology standards set by the Home Office and the Forensic Science Regulator and update and maintain the official Home Office Register of Practicing Pathologists.

To achieve this, NPIA chairs the main Pathology Delivery Board and manages two sub committees: These boards and sub committees meet on a quarterly basis. The constitution of the Pathology Delivery Board has been approved by The Home Secretary. View the PDB Constitution document. 

Main Board - Pathology Delivery Board - Chaired by Dr Simon Bramble

• Sub Committee - Disciplinary Committee
• Sub Committee - Training and Registration
• Finance and Contracts Sub Committee will be called as and when required.
  

These committees have representation from all the various stakeholders associated with the delivery and maintenance of Pathology services, namely:

• Association of Police Officers - ACPO
• Association of Police Authorities - APA
• Coroners Society
• British Association of Forensic Medicine  -BAFM
• Crown Prosecution Service - CPS
• Royal College of Pathologists  - RcPath
• Home Office - Forensic Science Regulator-Specialist Pathology Group

In addition to the above stakeholders, NPIA and ACPO work closely with the Human Tissue Authority(HTA) on issues regarding tissue retention and licensing of mortuary facilities. A protocol has been produced between all three parties to ensure continuation of forensic services, should a HTA regulatory action be required under the Human Tissue Act. View Protocol.

Forensic Practices

Nationally there are up to 8 regional practices supporting the coroners and the police authorities. Each practice must have a minimum of three registered forensic pathologists and all registered forensic pathologists must be associated with a practice. The PDB have defined a group practice in the document
Definition of a group practice (Rev 12 August 2005).

Quarterly statistics of Forensic Practices and the latest quarterly Data by Police Force can be viewed here.

Interested in becoming a Forensic Pathologist?

Initial contact should be made with one of the regional practices, who will advise on the requirements and suitability.  If the practice is acceptable, then a request for training funds can be made to the PS&FU to enable the candidate to commence their training once funds are released.

How do I get on The Home Office Register?

Entrance onto the register of Forensic Pathologists is controlled by the Registration and Training Committee which reviews all applications.

The criteria for registration can be found here. Registered pathologists agree to abide by a Protocol for Home Office Registered Forensic Pathologists. 

EU Histopathologists who wish to work in the UK as a Forensic Pathologist

European forensic pathologists, or anyone trained outside GMC jurisdiction, should in the first instance get in touch with the PDB secretariat at the mailbox below to get full advice on their submission.

Should you wish to make a complaint against a pathologist?

The Disciplinary Committee (DC) of the PDB ensures that the high standards expected of registered forensic pathologists are maintained. They are governed by the following rules and their associated guidance.

If anyone wishes to make a complaint against a Registered Forensic Pathologist, they can email the DC via the secretariat of the PDB.

Please note that the above rules  in part A, and guidance of the DC, outline what the PDB defines as a complaint. Some persons cannot make a complaint under rule 30 of part A; however they can under rule 31 bring the issues to the attention of the secretariat of the PDB using the same e-mail address.