Forensic Pathology
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. 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: These bodies can provide help and guidance in pursuing a career within forensic pathology. The Home Office through the Forensic Science Regulator sets the national standards for forensic science. Although the Register of Forensic Practitioners is officially owned by the Home Office, it is maintained by the NPIA. View the Register here. 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
Within the National Forensic Pathology Service there are eight 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). There are currently forty-two forensic pathologists working throughout England and Wales, performing on average seventy forensic post mortems a year NPIA provide funding to assist the practices in training pathologists who wish to become forensic pathologists and be admitted to the Home Office register. Currently, we are funding ten pathologists in this way. Initial contact should be made with one of the eight 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 NPIA's Police, Science and Forensics' Unit by the practice to enable the candidate to commence their training once funds are released. 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. European forensic pathologists, or anyone who is about to embark on a Article 14 submission in Histopathology to the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) as a pre-cursor to applying for Home Office registration, should get in touch with the PDB secretariat at the mailbox below to get full advice on the submission. 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.How does a person become a forensic pathologist?
The length of time to complete the training from initial entrance into the medical profession to being a registered forensic pathologist is 14 years.
Entrance onto the register of Forensic Pathologists is controlled by the 'Registration and Training Committee' which reviews all applications. Home Office Role
NPIA - Police, Science and Forensics Unit Role
These committees have representation from all the various stakeholders associated with the delivery and maintenance of Pathology services, namely:
Forensic Practices
Interested in becoming a Forensic Pathologist?
How do I get on The Home Office Register?
EU Histopathologists who wish to work in the UK as a Forensic Pathologist
Should you wish to make a complaint against a pathologist?
