A medical examiner or ______, a pathologist who performs autopsies, is a subspecialty of pathology.

A medical examiner or ______, a pathologist who performs autopsies, is a subspecialty of pathology.

• A. Pathologist
• B. Forensic pathologist
• C. Coroner
• D. Medical examiner

Answer: (C)

Forensic pathology is the branch of pathology focused on determining cause and manner of death through autopsy and related examinations. A pathologist who performs autopsies in death investigations is called a forensic pathologist. The medical examiner is the official who oversees the death-investigation system and may be a physician who specializes in forensic pathology, while a coroner is typically an elected or appointed official who may not be a physician. The description “a pathologist who performs autopsies” points to the forensic pathologist as the subspecialty, making that the best fit.

Forensic pathology is the branch of pathology focused on determining cause and manner of death through autopsy and related examinations. A pathologist who performs autopsies in death investigations is called a forensic pathologist. The medical examiner is the official who oversees the death-investigation system and may be a physician who specializes in forensic pathology, while a coroner is typically an elected or appointed official who may not be a physician. The description “a pathologist who performs autopsies” points to the forensic pathologist as the subspecialty, making that the best fit.