Forensic Pathology

Length: 1 x 4 week-long blocks

Location: Hamilton County Coroner's Office and Crime Laboratory

Rotation Director: Anne M. Laib, M.D.

Participating Faculty: Benjamin Criss, D.O.; Dorothy Dean, M.D.; Karen Looman, D.O.; Jennifer Schott, M.D.; and Russell Uptegrove, M.D.

During their second year, residents spend 4 weeks at the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office and Crime Laboratory.  There, they work side-by-side with board-certified forensic pathologists who direct the residents’ training in all areas of forensic autopsy at their brand-new facility in Blue Ash.

Residents learn the techniques required for conducting forensic autopsies, the legal implications of post-mortem findings, and the handling of evidentiary and toxicological materials.  Under the supervision of the faculty, residents participate in a variety of autopsy cases not typically encountered in the hospital setting, such as homicides, suicides, and accidental deaths, including drug overdoses and motor vehicle collisions. Residents also learn how to formulate cause of death statements for death certification.

In addition to forensic autopsy examinations, residents have the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational activities including observing a faculty member testify in criminal court or accompanying a deputy coroner to a scene investigation.