Forensic Neuropathologist

Mission

The Mission of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is to provide medical examiner and crime laboratory services of the highest quality in an unbiased manner with uncompromised integrity.

Vision

• To provide consistent quality death investigation and laboratory analysis for the benefit of the entire community.

• To create a technological strongpoint for legal agencies to facilitate justice in criminal and civil proceedings.

• To establish an academic environment for training in the field of Forensic Science.

Brief Forensic Neuropathologist Overview:

The Forensic Neuropathologist conducts crucial components of medicolegal death investigations pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25 specifically by providing specialized neuropathology examinations for various types of death; providing neuropathology consultation to Assistant Medical Examiners both at the time of autopsy examination and in subsequent more specialized examination settings; providing testimonial evidence in court on various neuropathology subjects; and teaching trainees (forensic pathology fellows pathology residents medical residents and medical students) about various aspects of neuropathology and how those neuropathology findings impact medicolegal death investigation.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conducts and completes neuropathology components of medicolegal death investigations pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 49.25 including gross examination of brains spinal cords eyes and other specimens as may be indicated; interpreting gross anatomic and microscopic pathology; reviewing and synthesizing of medical records and police reports in the context of neuropathology findings; and crafting timely and thorough neuropathology reports to be used as a component of full autopsy reports

• Provides gross neuropathology consultation to Assistant Medical Examiners during forensic autopsies including examination of fresh specimens and formalin-fixed specimens; provides microscopic neuropathology consultation to Assistant Medical Examiners including both histology of specimens that were examined grossly and other cases where consultation is requested for microscopic findings

• Provides expert testimony in criminal and civil court matters relating to neuropathology and medicolegal death investigations including case involving neuropathology questions arising in cases for which the initial examination was performed by another pathologist; prepares for testimony by attending depositions and pretrial conferences with attorneys as needed

• Participates in ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement activities within the Pathology Division including regular attendance at daily case assignment and review conferences and weekly quality assurance and consensus conferences

• Is fully engaged in teaching activities at the Department including mentoring forensic pathology fellows supervising medical residents and providing guidance to medical students including providing direct supervision and instruction in performance as well as instructional presentations and lectures to the Pathology and Investigations Divisions

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
you need special services or accommodations please call or email .
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and even when considered may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Experience:

• Two years experience in forensic neuropathology in hospital or medical examiners office

• Experience in viewing / interpreting postmortem CT scans and / or neuroradiology scans