Forensic Pathology-international
perspectives
Helen L Whitwell-Durham, 2009
• Home Office Accredited Forensic Pathologistsince 1988
• Consultant Neuropathologist NHS,
Birmingham, 1986-1998
• Senior Lecturer in Pathology, University of
Auckland, NZ, 1998-2000
• Professor and Head of Department, University
of Sheffield, 2000-2004
• West Midlands Group Practice since 2004
Current situation in England and
Wales
Mixture of self-employed, University, NHS and
Forensic Science Service (whole and part time)
Variable departments and mortuary facilities
Recruitment and retention issues
Governance (?) NPIA-issues of independence
within the judicial system
Career development
Research and teaching
Financial
• Fee per case
• Onus on police to decide if a case is
suspicious or not
New Zealand model
• Until early 2000s-mixed with University, health
service and private
• New Zealand-4.2 million population
• Majority –Auckland
• Crisis with recruitment and retention
• Use of local non forensic pathologists
• Review lead by Rex Ferris-implemented in
2005
National service model
• Centrally funded from the Ministry of Justicesalaries, support costs
• Pathologists contracted to Auckland Health
Board (nationally)
• Current 7 WTE
• Paediatric pathologist 0.4
• Neuropathologist 0.5
• Hospital based with access to other medical
specialities
• Cross cover on a national basis
Australia
• Current national shortage of FPs
• Variable structure and funding models-eg
hospital /University, forensic science
providers, Victorian Institute of Forensic
Medicine
• Work out of centrally based units-salaried
Canada-Ontario
• Toronto plus 4 other units-funded via health
service or other employer
• eg Ottawa-based in the hospital alongside the
other pathologists
• Population 9 million
BAFM
• Centralised organised service
• Regional centres
Future
• Implement stable structure with career
development as well as research, teaching and
organisational opportunities
• Salaried service-advantages and
disadvantages
Location of service
• GMC revalidation-essential to have close links
with the medical profession
• Issue of being ‘police pathologists’
• Academic work does not fit easily with current
university policies
• Trusts not generally keen to have FP
• Wider role in death investigation-not in the
current system
• Central funding via national special health
authority model-similar terms to NHS
Consultants
• Potential for development of wider role in
autopsy work
• Essential to be seen to maintain
independence as expert witness