Grim glamour: what is forensic pathology like as a career?

Rob Chapman is one of the few full time Home Office accredited forensic pathologists in practice in England and Wales. He agreed to be interviewed by Richard Jones via mobile phone, having just finished a postmortem examination after a suspicious death

In 13 years in his career, Rob Chapman estimates that he has carried out approximately 12 000 autopsies. He has joined together with several colleagues to provide forensic pathology services in the south east of England. All the team members have a background in academic forensic pathology at Charing Cross, Guy's, and, most recently, St George's medical schools. The group covers much of the metropolitan police area, where the homicide rate this year is running at a depressing one each day.

Why did you choose a career in forensic pathology?

I really started my career in forensic pathology by accident: I was working as an senior house officer in pathology, in which I rotated throughout various pathology specialties. The opportunity arose for me to obtain a lectureship in histopathology in the Charing Cross Department of Forensic Pathology, under Professor David Bowen. I thought I would try it out and have never looked back.

What do you consider to be the best and worst aspects of your job?

The best aspect of the job is definitely the wide variety of cases that I am confronted with. I am never sure what is going to crop up next, and this makes planning my social life quite difficult. This aspect of the job is probably the worst, along with the frequent travelling and the unpredictable nature of court work, and the wasted time that often accompanies it.

Some think that pathologists cannot communicate with living people. Do you agree with this?

Not at all. This is completely untrue as far as the forensic pathologist is concerned. On a regular basis I am in communication with members of up to eight police forces, and I have to work alongside investigating officers of a variety of rank routinely. In addition, I have to be able to communicate with forensic scientists, barristers, and the public (jury members). Each group has its own needs, and I have to be aware of these needs so that the medical information that I am attempting to get across is pitched appropriately. In order to get on in forensic medicine, it is clearly necessary for the forensic pathologist to enjoy speaking in public and the "showmanship" of appearing in court.

How do you cope with emotionally harrowing cases?

Most people who deal with death on a daily basis develop protective mechanisms, and humour plays an important part in this. You can be respectful of the dead, but there are often humorous aspects to a case, which are often not lost on police officers. You have to develop a certain detachment from the emotional aspects of a case, particularly those involving children, so that you can concentrate on doing your job properly. Evidence with which to assist in the detection of a crime can then be properly collected. At one time in the past it used to be commonplace for the pathologist and police officers to socialise after a postmortem examination, but this is gradually becoming more of a rarity, in the interests of being impartial and being seen to be impartial.

What have been the highlights of your career?

I have been asked by various police forces over the years to assist them in cases overseas, and these were enjoyable. For example, I helped investigate an aeroplane crash in Nepal and the murder of a policeman in the West Indies. Most pathologists become involved in cases that have a high media profile, for some reason or another, and these can be professionally rewarding. Being able to use your skills in the analysis of wound patterns, to help the police identify a murder weapon, is also satisfying.

Would you recommend forensic pathology as a career?

Yes. The job offers a unique opportunity to combine the scientific and academic rigours of histopathology with the ability to practice medicine in its broadest sense in a legal setting. It is challenging and rewarding, but, unfortunately, at this time the career structure is poor. The lack of training places is a concern, but there will always be a need for high quality forensic pathology services. It remains to be seen whether current government reviews of the coroner's system and death certification will bring any stability in terms of careers for new forensic pathology trainees.

Who is best: Sam Ryan of Silent Witness or Quincy, ME?

Well my job is nothing like theirs (thankfully). I suppose the pathology is similar, but I definitely would not want to be chasing suspects and interviewing witnesses in the way they do on television. I think that Sam Ryan is a bit too dour (remember what I said about the need for a sense of humour in this job). Quincy is much more entertaining.

Richard Jones, final year medical student, Guy's, King's, and St Thomas's Medical School, London
Email: rmjones@freenetname.co.uk


studentBMJ 2002;10:89-130 April ISSN 0966-6494