Forensic pathology holds a special place in my heart – it was the reason I pursued medicine. It’s a field that deserves greater recognition, yet it often goes unnoticed. According to the National Association of Medical Examiners, there is a severe workforce shortage in the US. A recent article in The Pathologist also highlighted the stigma surrounding medical examiners, which leads many medical students to overlook the field entirely. But, despite the challenges, I believe forensic pathology plays a vital role in both medicine and society. It deserves serious consideration from future physicians – even if they ultimately choose a different path.
Over the years, many people have been confused by my lifelong fascination with a field that’s often described as gritty, unsettling, and depressing. I’m the kind of guy who knows every lyric to the bubblegum pop songs on the radio. I bought tickets to both Barbie and Oppenheimer, but ended up watching Barbie twice (apologies to Mr Nolan), and I love posting Instagram photos of cozy cafés and dazzling skyscrapers. But despite my hobbies, forensics fits me perfectly.
We all experience uncertainty in life but crave resolutions. Imagine reading an Agatha Christie novel, only for Poirot to leave the mystery unsolved. Or watching Game of Thrones, only for the series to end before anyone takes the throne. Stories need closure – not just for the characters, but for those who follow them. Open endings may spark the imagination, but in real life, they rob us of peace of mind.
From birth to death, our lives unfold like narratives – some simple, others as epic as a One Piece saga, filled with challenges, dreams, allies, and adversaries. But what if your story had no known ending? What if – after years of love, work, and memories – you simply vanished, leaving those who knew you to wonder what happened? I wouldn’t wish that on myself, my loved ones, or even the stranger I passed on the subway this morning.
I often think about how unbearable it would be to lose someone close to me without knowing how or why. To know every chapter of their life except the last. That kind of uncertainty would haunt me, and I know I’m not alone. As human beings, we need final chapters for closure and to honor those whose stories have ended. That’s why I can’t imagine a more meaningful profession than giving people that final answer.
When I recently visited a medical examiner’s office, each case filled me with a profound sense of purpose. From textbook gunshot wounds to rare poisonings, I found it deeply moving that every body arriving in the morgue left with an answer. It was somber work, but powerfully rewarding. I was reminded that forensic pathology is more about the living than the dead. Every solved case can bring peace, prevent tragedy, and deliver justice.
Take, for example, a young man who died by suicide. His story ended, but his family continued, hopefully with a deeper understanding of the factors that led to his death. That kind of awareness could save others. In homicide cases, a medical examiner’s findings can help bring justice to those who can no longer speak for themselves.
Yet despite its importance, forensic pathology remains underappreciated. The stigma surrounding pathology careers – combined with a growing shortage of medical examiners – makes this work more essential than ever. We need people willing to face the unknown and provide the closure that so many desperately seek. Forensic pathology may seem dark but, in truth, it’s a profession rooted in hope and understanding.
Maybe it’s because I love the joyful simplicity of pop music, the vibrant femininity of Barbie, and the quiet thrill of wandering city streets, watching strangers whose extraordinary stories – thanks to forensic pathologists – will have an ending. Because, like those catchy lyrics on the radio, a person’s voice deserves to be heard – even after they’re gone.
In the end, writing the last chapter of a life allows others to keep writing their own. And who doesn’t love a great tale?
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