i dont believe there is one in arkansas because i live in tx and there aint one here i think its so specialized that there are few schools... but i would also like to know how to become a medical examiner because i go to college next year and i need to get on a career path soon!
You might have to go to another state for medical school if there is not one for your area. Forensic Pathologists, whether they work in a coroner unit or medical examiner's office, are doctors who have chosen to specialize in forensic pathology. Because of the dissection and medical diagnosis of each case, it requires the knowledge of a doctor to be medically accurate.
Here is a complete list of colleges that host forensic programs. You can explore them and their programs and see which is the best for you. http://www.forensicpage.com/new05.htm
i already posted this somewhere else but: i am a pathology resident hoping to sub-specialize in forensic pathology. here's the road to being an ME:
4 years for a bachelor's degree - does NOT have to be science related, you just have to take the prerequisites for your med school of choice (but still usually 2 chemistry, 2 organic chemistry, 2 physics, genetics)
4 years of med school - this will cost you $200,000, not including any college loans. well at least i have 30 years to pay it off, maybe by the time i'm 60...
3-4 years of residency - 3 years: anatomic pathology only (surgical specimens, autopsies) - 4 years: antomic/clinical pathology: as above and running the labs (chemistry, microbiology, advanced molecular diagnostics)
1-2 years of fellowship - you only do 6 months of autopsy in 4 years (!!!) of residency, so you need this to become competent (and to sit for the boards)
SUM TOTAL 13-14 years (darn i'll be old when i'm through)
i recommened being a pathology assistant if you want to get your hands dirty and be invloved in the cases. minimal training, and bloody at the same time... real autopsies are NOT like you see on tv, we wear protective gear over every inch of our bodies and some moments can be less than glamorous (running the bowel, ewwww). you can also be a: forensic photographer, forensic anthroplogist, death investigator... many ways to be involved in forensics that DON'T involved med school (which stinks.)
I am very interested in doing something in the forensics field. I am hoping that you can give me a more comprehensive list of choices (I know, this is asking a lot). You seem to have a lot of knowledge and I would appreciate it if you could help me. Thanks.
