A forensic pathologist performs the usual care activities of legal and forensic medicine services. They are tenured civil servants and constitute a higher qualified body reporting to the Justice Administration. They are assigned to an Institute of Legal Medicine or the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences. Exceptionally, and when the needs of the service so require such as in the event of attacks, accidents or epidemics with many victims, they may be assigned to courts, public prosecutors and civil registry offices.

The Institutes of Legal Medicine are located in provincial capitals which have a High Court of Justice and in those which have Chambers of High Courts of Justice with jurisdiction in one or more provinces.

• Determine the causes and circumstances of death in cases of violent death or where crime is suspected by means of a judicial autopsy (which includes examination of the scene during the legally sanctioned removal of the corpse and also internal and external examination of the corpse) for recent and also old deaths, in the latter case by studying bodily remains and/or bones.
• Perform legal medicine research at the scene of the accident or other events in order to find evidence that adds to the autopsy report.
• Carry out regular inspections of the injured and evaluate personal injury where this is the subject of court proceedings. That is to say, they deal with people who have suffered an attack or accident as well as corpses.
• Produce expert reports and legal medical opinions and attend trials and other judicial proceedings mostly related to the various aspects of their speciality.
• Provide technical assistance to the courts, public prosecutors and civil registry offices in aspects of their professional discipline, including forensic pathology and thanatology practice as well as care or medical supervision of detainees, the injured or sick who are under their jurisdiction.
• Take part in scientific activities including clinical sessions and seminars, research projects, attending and presenting papers at speciality conferences, publication of speciality papers, taking part in continuous learning programmes, etc.

Regulated training and graduates

In addition to a degree, a forensic pathologist also has to pass a competitive public examination held by the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality. Once they have passed this, they get a place as a Resident Medical Intern to do the Legal and Forensic Medicine speciality, which takes 3 years.

The especialized formation is:

• Grau: Medicina

Complementary training

Other specific skills

It is recommended that a forensic pathologist should have a high level of English as the scientific information and research articles they need to consult or write are usually published in this language.
They also have to be an advanced user of office programs, email and Internet browsing since alongside medical tools they will also regularly use ICT to handle data.

A lot of practical training is done as part of the residence (RMI), so people who complete an RMI are already prepared to exercise their profession.
However, in order to be a government forensic pathologist candidates have to pass a competitive public examination set by the Ministry of Justice, followed by a theoretical and practical adaptation course lasting a few months. Once this has been completed they become a civil service forensic pathologist.

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 3

Analytical thought: Level 3

Self-confidence: Level 3

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Conceptual thought: Level 3

Concern for order and quality: Level 2

Scientific research

Individuals who have an affinity for the field of scientific research focus their interest on activities that study different types of organisms and substances in order to obtain valuable products for human beings. A key part of performing this task is the planning and verification of scientific hypotheses through the use of different research designs and techniques. The objective of these searches is the development of new medicines and medical techniques, technological innovation based on the manipulation of cells, molecules and biological agents, as well as the study of cultures in order to improve the characteristics and properties of plants and food.

Gene therapy expert

Person responsible for pharmacovigilance

Doctor

Homeopath

e-Health consultant

• Work hours

  Working days are 8 hours per day 5 days a week, although they will also do duty shifts since accidents where their presence is required may take place at any time. Hence they often work on Saturdays and/or Sundays.

• Salary

  Junior: between 24.446 and 39.155 euros annum gross. Median: 30.938 euros annum gross.
  Senior: between 46.214 and 62.738 euros annum gross. Median: 53.846 euros annum gross.
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.
  

• Professional category

  Technician