The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit, Ontario Forensic Pathology Service is seeking a Forensic Pathologist to assist in the delivery of high quality forensic pathology services to coroners, police, crown attorneys, lawyers and courts in Ontario. This exciting work will be carried out at the new, state of the art Forensic Services and Coroners Complex .

What can I expect to do in this role?

The Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit (PFPU) is the main autopsy service for the Province of Ontario operating under the auspices of the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. The PFPU performs over 2000 medico-legal autopsies per year including all homicides and criminally suspicious deaths of adults, infants and children in the greater Toronto area. In addition, the Unit acts as a referral centre for complex cases for other regions of the Province that do not have access to forensic pathology expertise. As forensic pathologists at the PFPU, you are actively involved with postgraduate training and continuing medical education in forensic pathology.

Since 2014, the forensic pathologists (FP) at the PFPU are appointed as coroners for homicide and criminally suspicious cases.

In this new role:
• FP- coroners receive training on the statutory duties of the coroner.
• In homicide and criminally suspicious cases, FP-coroners undertake the role of the coroner and are responsible for investigating and reporting on the death, including attending the scene, ordering and conducting the autopsy, certifying identification and the cause and manner of death, as well as testifying in court.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• medical degree from a recognized university and licensed or eligible for license to practice medicine in Ontario
• certification with Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) as a specialist in Anatomical or General Pathology by examination or equivalent certification
• one year of postgraduate training or vocational training in forensic pathology at a recognized institution or university (e.g., university-based forensic pathology fellowship, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited fellowship)

Technical Knowledge:

You have:
• knowledge of and experience in forensic pathology in order to attend scenes, perform autopsies, analyze and interpret the results, provide expertise, advice and training to investigating agencies, legal and medical professionals, and certify cause and manner of death
• a broad knowledge of applicable legislation, rules of evidence and investigative techniques in order to collaborate and interact with police and legal and medical professionals
• knowledge of the judicial system including rules of evidence in civil and criminal cases to prepare reports, provide expert opinions and present evidence in courts of law

Other Skills:

• you have interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with other medical professionals, law enforcement agencies, lawyers, etc.
• you have superior oral and written communication skills