Forensic Medicine in the 21st Century: A Realistic View of Our Changing Science

Forensic medicine and pathology have undergone a sea change in the last 20 years, because what was traditionally an anecdotal profession has matured into a true laboratory science replete with accuracy and reproducibility in determinations of cause, manner, and mechanisms of death. "War stories" have given way to bench science translating into the application of the scientific method at the death/crime scene and in the autopsy suite. New technologies, not the least of which is evolving DNA methodologies, have even transformed the way we all view medicolegal death investigation.

Contemporaneous with developing technologies are the dual phenomena of popular television shows featuring real and fictional medical examiners and the explosion of information available to lay persons on the Internet. Such electronic accessibility is a double-edged sword: although the public may know a little about what we do, a little learning, as we know, can be a dangerous thing,1 as evidenced by juries' demands to "see the DNA evidence" even in cases in which DNA could play no role.2

Several authors in this issue of the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine offer a realistic view of our quotidian tasks, as opposed to the fantasy versions in popular media. We are delighted to present the work of myriad experts renowned and revered in the subspecialty of forensic pathology for their professional, technical, and scholarly skill. Hunsaker et al write eloquently about deaths resulting from extremes of temperature, a challenge encountered throughout the world. Denton and colleagues review gunshot wounds, a universal concern confronting all in forensic science. Dr Kim Collins tackles the increasingly apparent entity of elder maltreatment, a routinely underdiagnosed tragedy. Dr Greg Davis (no relation) offers the physician reader instruction and peace of mind in how to interact with the legal profession, and Dr Randy Hanzlick reviews medical examiner and coroner systems, underscoring the reality that we are all public health physicians.

This writer is privileged to know these individuals and their work.

© 2006 College of American Pathologists Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.