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OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Increase in Forensic Pathology Workforce

Keyword(s): Autopsy; forensic pathologist; medical students; training; medical school

Submitting subcommittee(s): MDI Date Approved: 2/28/2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

No.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

NAME Strategic Committee is prioritizing this goal but not specifically conducting research.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Science Community (2009), Strengthening Forensic Science 

in the United States: A Path Forward. National Academies Press.

Scientific Working Group on Medicolegal Death Investigation. Increasing the Supply of Forensic Pathologists in 

the United State: A Report and Recommendations. December, 2012. Available at: 

http://www.swgmdi.org/images/si4.fpsupplyreportpublisheddecember2012.pdf Accessed March 4, 2015

Youngclaus J. and Fresne JA (2013) Physician Education Debt and the Cost to Attend Medical School 2012 

Update. Association of American Medical Colleges.

Kemp WL (2014) Forensic Pathologist Salaries in the United States: The Results of Internet Data Collection. 

Academic Forensic Pathology. 4(4): 505-513.

Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education. Accredited Programs in Forensic Pathology. Available at: 

http://www.acgme.org/ads/Public/Reports/ReportRun?ReportId=1&CurrentYear=2014&Specialt 

yId=59&IncludePreAccreditation=false Accessed March 4, 2015

Hanzlick R. Haden-Pinneri K. Forensic Pathology Fellowship Training Positions and Subsequent Forensic 

Pathology Work Effort of Past Forensic Pathology Fellows. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2011. 1(3):322-327

College of American Pathologists 2011 Practice Characteristics Survey. College of

American Pathologists.
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Hanzlick R (2014) Incoming Forensic Pathology Fellow and Fellowship Program 2014-2015. Prepared for 

Forensic Pathology Subcommittee of National Association of Medical Examiners

Hanzlick R. Work location and effort of forensic pathology fellows who completed training in 2012. Acad 

Forensic Pathol. 2012: 2(3); 290-293

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

We have a well-recognized shortage of forensic pathologists in this country, this research aims to address why 

more medical students are not choosing to go into the field so that changes can be made to increase the pipeline. 

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

The committee aims to improve the practice of medicolegal death investigation, and this would include ensuring 

that there are enough practitioners to perform the specialized functions. 

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

We have a critical shortage of forensic pathologists in this country, the goal is to see what can be done to 

encourage enough medical students to go into the field to ensure longevity of this valuable and incredibly 

specialized profession.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV):

I Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.