Forensic Pathology
Unit VI Course Project The research project for this course requires you to identify a criminal justice professional field in which you would be interested in pursuing a career. If you already work in the criminal justice field, you can use your current position as the basis for this project. The course research project will be due in Unit VI.You will be required to not only research various aspects of the selected field, but you must also interview an individual who currently works in the selected field. When interviewing the professional working in the selected criminal justice field, you should consider asking the following types of questions: Why did you decide to work in this field of criminal justice? What are three key skills or competencies a person must possess to be successful in this field of criminal justice? What steps should a person take to prepare him or herself for working in this field of criminal justice? What types of substantive changes do you currently see occurring or foresee occurring within this field of criminal justice? What types of technology do you use on a regular basis within this field of criminal justice? The research project paper should consist of the following sections: Introduction: This section identifies the criminal justice field that the student has selected and includes a brief description of why this field is of interest (recommended length: no more than one page). Competencies: In this section, you will identify at least three competencies required for the selected criminal justice field and explain why each is important to the field. This section should be based upon research that you have conducted about the selected field and supported with cited resources (recommended length: one page). Professional interview: In this section, you will summarize the interview conducted with a professional working in their selected field of criminal justice. It is important for you to begin this section by identifying the person interviewed and his or her current position within the selected criminal justice field (recommended length: one to two pages). Assessment: In this section, you will evaluate the selected field of criminal justice by discussing the following questions and supporting the Assessment with cited resources (recommended length: one to two pages): How did the competencies you identified for this field of criminal justice align or differ from the information obtained during the interview with a criminal justice professional? What learning goal would you like to set for yourself during this course, month, or year based on the skill sets and requirements discovered during your research and based upon the interview with a criminal justice professional? While the level of detail in each section of the research paper will vary, it is anticipated that the final paper will be approximately five to six pages in length, not counting the cover and reference pages. Please click here to review the General Guidelines for Papers document to obtain a description of other formatting requirements. NOTE:Part of the purpose of a reference is to lead your reader back to the sources you used. Imagine a person reads your paper and wants to find out more information about your topic. The reader can refer to your reference list to locate the sources you used to find information. However, certain types of sources, like a private conversation, cannot be located. No one can read a transcript of your interview (unless you recorded it). The information the interviewee passed on to you is not recoverable by other researchers, so it does not go in the reference list. This kind of source (interviews, private letters and e-mail,personal conversations, phone calls, etc.) is called a personal communication. Cite it in text only, give initials as well as the surname of the person involved, and give as precise a date as possible. Again, this type of source is ONLY cited in text.There will be no reference citation on the reference list.The two examples of how personal communication citations can be done are below:1. T. Smith (personal communication, March 19, 2013) indicates that …2. …from a police custody inspector’s prospective (T. Smith, personal communication, March 19, 2013).
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Forensic pathology is a specialized field of medicine that involves the investigation of sudden or unexpected deaths. Forensic pathologists work closely with law enforcement agencies to determine the cause and manner of death. They use their medical expertise to examine corpses and gather evidence that will be used in court cases.
Three key skills or competencies a person must possess to be successful in the field of forensic pathology are:
Attention to detail: Forensic pathologists must have an eye for detail and be able to examine corpses meticulously to identify any signs of injury or disease.
Analytical skills: They must have strong analytical skills to make sound conclusions based on the evidence presented to them.
Communication skills: Forensic pathologists must have excellent communication skills as they work with various professionals, including law enforcement agents, lawyers, and other medical experts.
To prepare for a career in forensic pathology, individuals must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as biology or chemistry, followed by a medical degree from an accredited medical school. After completing medical school, a residency in forensic pathology is required, which takes an additional 3-4 years of training.
The use of technology in forensic pathology has advanced significantly over the years. Modern forensic pathologists use various technologies, including CT scans, MRI, and digital imaging, to gather evidence. Additionally, they use specialized software to analyze data and create reports.
I recommend that you interview a forensic pathologist to gain more insight into the profession and its requirements. During the interview, consider asking the following questions:
What inspired you to pursue a career in forensic pathology?
What are the most challenging aspects of your job, and how do you handle them?
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
How has technology impacted your work as a forensic pathologist?
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in forensic pathology?
In conclusion, forensic pathology is a vital field in the criminal justice system that requires a unique set of skills and competencies. The use of technology in the field has revolutionized how forensic pathologists gather and analyze evidence. Through research and interviewing a professional in the field, you can gain a better understanding of the profession and set learning goals for yourself to pursue a career in forensic pathology.
