Forensic pathology--Catch 22. A no-win situation(?).

Abstract

The practice of forensic pathology finds itself in the unenviable position of existing in a political environment, the existence of which depends upon compromise. The professional pathologist cannot compromise ethically, morally, or legally. As a practical fact of life, most of us find ourselves in the compromising position and with the compromising attitude of "you get what you pay for." The end result all too often is tragedy for those who depend on our observations, our conclusions, our practice of medicine. What has not been widely recognized apparently is the all too common consequence of the personal jeopardy that the forensic pathologist is placed in--defenseless, friendless, disgraced, and left with a severely tarnished professional reputation.