Ascension St. John Hospital Forensic Pathology

This one 4-week block rotation will be spent at the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office under the supervision of the Interim Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Omar Rayes.

The resident will obtain experience in handling the investigation of sudden unexpected deaths. The residents will learn how to carry out a thorough postmortem examination, and also learn to incorporate all relevant information regarding the circumstances of the death into a final evaluation of the cause of death. The resident will be exposed to a broad spectrum of cases including death as a result of homicide, accident, suicide and natural causes. 

The resident will become familiar with the preparation of a medicolegal autopsy report.

The resident will become familiar with the elements of a forensic science team (pathologists, investigators, toxicologists, consultants, etc.) 

The resident will become familiar with interpretation of routine examinations of alcohol and drug testing. The resident will also become familiar with scene investigation and court testimony (by observation).