The approaches of physicians working in the field of pathology regarding forensic pathology practice and the training process.

OBJECTIVE: Forensic autopsies are performed by the forensic medicine department and the microscopic examination processes by pathology specialists within the forensic medicine practice in Turkey. This disconnection in the process raises problems in the training of both branches. The aim of this study was to determine the awareness of pathology staff on forensic medicine practices and responsibilities and their opinion on the pathology training model in the forensic medicine specialty and to discuss the matter within the framework of the present situation and global applications.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A 15-item questionnaire form distributed to the participant physicians during registration at the 21st National Pathology Congress held in 2011 was evaluated.

RESULTS: 94 participants responded. A negative opinion was expressed by 72% about the interest in the general post-mortem process. The view that pathology specialists should undergo a separate training to perform autopsies was predominant and there was a general lack of interest in all kinds of autopsy processes. The percentage who said they knew the legal responsibility of a pathology specialist regarding forensic autopsies correctly was 37%. The questions "what are the necessary factors to contribute to the pathology training in forensic medicine" and "if anything is required, which of them would take priority" were respectively answered as "for me to be interested (46%)" and "a system guaranteeing that training will always be given by pathology specialists (67%)". Despite the possibility of becoming a forensic medicine specialist in two years, the mean answer score of the participants to the phrase "I do not consider becoming a forensic medicine specialist" was 4.1 (out of 5).

CONCLUSION: A reluctance among the pathologists in our country was seen regarding forensic medicine specialists being able to perform post-mortem microscopic examination. However, despite their legal responsibilities, their interest in forensic pathology practice was low. There seems to be rational factor that would increase this interest in the near future. Cooperation is necessary to enable forensic medicine specialists to perform post-mortem pathology procedures. This cooperation should be based on improving the training of pathology research assistants.