I want to become a Forensic Pathologist, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what I could do in the meenwhile to get envolved with forensics or something? I emailed our state M.E's ofice and havn't gotting a responce. and I talked to the school to correr lady at my school and she said she would cheack when school starts again. but I would really like to get envolve with this. like just volinter or even watch an autopsy.

Personally I would go over to your state ME office in person and fill out an application. Continue to follow up on it's status.

I'm not old enough to work there yet.

Hey, but did you know that nurses are involved with forensics? After obtaining your RN degree, you can either obtain a certification or a degree in forensic science from a nursing prospective. Just check out different schools or universities in your area.

but I'm still in middle school!!!

Speaking from experience, if you really want to pursue such a career, you really need to persist. I work at a funeral home & it took an extremely long time to find someone willing to take on a person so young, and female at that.
While I'm on that subject, try talking to a funeral director. They may not perform autopsies & such, but they do fix the end result & in rural areas, many of them are coroners as well. And in my state, if the ME or coroner is not available for trial, the courts will sometimes call the embalmer in to testify.
Good Luck!!

Yay for funeral people! I'm licensed in Maryland, where are you from?

Thanks, to both of you.

I know that at my school, in they high school, there is a forensic and death class. Some one from one told me, you get to plan your own funeral, and you go to an "empty" embalming room. I sound like it would be cool. But I wish I could see an autopsy "LIVE".

Due to privacy laws and the fact that most autopsies are connected to crimes, it is extremely hard to get to watch an autopsy. I am currently studying forensic science for my undergrad degree, in preparation for becoming a forensic pathologist, and cannot get into the state morgue. I recommend volunteering at your local hospital. Though you may not get experience in actual forensic pathology, health care related experience is a requirement to get into med. school. The earlier you start to get that experience, the better. In fact, if you can, I recommend volunteering in the Pathology department. It's the closest thing to autopsies. In fact, when I was volunteering at my local hospital in the Path. department, I was lucky enough to get to watch one of their autopsies. Most private hospitals do perform some autopsies, though only cause of death limited ones (meaning not a thorough as at the M.E.'s office), so you might get lucky to. Unfortunately, forensic pathology is a field that is hard to get into without training, even just as a volunteer or observer, especially at your age. Trust me, you have plenty of time to get experience in the field. Good luck! By the way, I highly recommend looking at colleges that offer a Bachelor's degree in forensic science and are accredited. Check out the American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS) website to get a list. In my opinion, Virginia Commonwealth University is one of the best programs. It is accredited in both it's Master's and Bachelor's programs and is designed to meet all of the med. school prerequisites.

Hi I'm futureme, my old screen name stopped working so now I'm mimi_drg.

vcuforensics- thX! I have a Forensic Science class in my high school, though it's Jr or Sr year and I'm going into 9th.
And ya I've been asking m parents about helping out at a local hospital. But now I'm moving so I will have to find one closer.
I go to hospitals every time I get the chance! It’s just so cool to be in that rush, to see so many lab coats and scrubs! lol. It’s invigorating!

wow yeah that not only helped mini dr g that also helped me a lot, so thank you all for the information and ideas. I know in my state and specifically my county there is local coroner's office and they offer an internship after attending a almost like a job shadow orientation. I haven't called yet and gotten all the details but i am really excited to see what it involves.