Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To deliver high quality forensic pathology services to coroners, police, Crown Attorneys, lawyers and courts in Ontario. To assist the Medical Director, Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit to upgrade the professional and technical knowledge in the field and to assume responsibility for complex cases as an acknowledged expert in the specialized field of forensic pathology.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Performs high quality medico-legal autopsies on cases including homicides and criminally suspicious cases of adults, infants and children for the Toronto area and as a central referral facility for many complex cases across the Province. Presents timely expert opinions and evidence. 2. Provides consultation and professional advice as necessary, to the police, Crown Attorneys, lawyers, pathologists, coroners, and other members of the death investigation team for interpretation, guidance and authoritative advice on avenues of examination, reference material, etc. and the provision of professional post mortem examinations and related pathology services under the Coroners Act. 3. Participates in instructional programs to upgrade professional and technical knowledge of pathologists and forensic pathologists in-training, police officers, coroners, members of the legal profession, law students, undergraduate medical students and postgraduate physicians. 4. Maintains effective liaison and collaboration with key stakeholders involved in investigations of sudden or unexpected death and the forensic pathology profession nationally and internationally. 5. Contributes to effective quality assurance, tissue management and health and safety practices at the PFPU. 6. Performs other duties as assigned by the Medical Director in support of the professional activities of the PFPU.

Knowledge :

Medical degree and license to practice medicine in Ontario, a RCPSC specialist certification in Anatomical Pathology or General Pathology by examination or equivalent certification and one year of postgraduate training or vocational training in forensic pathology at a recognized institution or university (e.g., university-based forensic pathology fellowship, ACGMEaccredited fellowship). Position requires expert knowledge in the field of forensic pathology to deliver high quality forensic pathology services involving medico-legal autopsies on cases including homicides and criminally suspicious cases of adults, infants and children. Knowledge of the Coroners Act, Criminal Code, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other related legislation that applies to death investigation to ensure compliance when providing consultation and professional advice to ongoing contacts. Knowledge of the death investigation system in Ontario to provide the necessary forensic pathology services and expertise in support of the overall death investigation system and the standards of the OCC/OFPS. Knowledge of the legal system, including familiarity with investigative techniques and requirements in law enforcement, rules of evidence in criminal and civil cases, and the application of forensic pathology to the investigation of sudden deaths and administration of justice through the provision of expert opinions and testimony. Knowledge of contemporary scientific research and literature in the area of forensic pathology and an evidence-based approach to formulating expert opinions. Communication and interpersonal skills to maintain relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders and agencies, effectively instruct and mentor pathologists, other professionals and student, provide training and provide understandable expert witness evidence.

Judgement :

Position works under the administrative direction of the Medical Director, Provincial Pathology Unit and within professional practice, the guidelines of the Coroners Act and related legislation. Position has access to Crown Counsel for legal advice. Position exercises judgment in: ¢ giving expert opinion on the basis of circumstances of death, autopsy findings, results of scientific tests, background of deceased including an awareness of statistical variability of the patterns of causes of sudden death in a community of multi-ethnic origins , applying expertise in performing autopsies in complex cases; in forming an evidence-based opinion as to the cause of death and presenting evidence in courts that is understandable, reasonable, balanced and substantiated

Accountability - Programs :

Responsible for delivering high quality forensic pathology services to coroners, police, Crown Attorneys, lawyers and courts in Ontario. Assists the Medical Director, Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit to upgrade the professional and technical knowledge in the field and to assume responsibility for complex cases as an acknowledged expert in the specialized field of forensic pathology. Contributes to effective quality assurance, tissue management and health and safety practices at the PFPU.

Accountability – Personnel :

N/A

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

N/A

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

The impact of decisions is such that incorrect interpretation of autopsy findings could seriously impair the administration of justice and obstruct law enforcement with a resulting loss of public confidence in the program and the ministry.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with the Chief Forensic Pathologist, Chief Coroner, Deputy Chief Coroners, and other professionals within the Division, other ministry program areas, the Centre of Forensic Sciences, other Forensic Experts, Crown Attorneys, SIU, and the Fire Marshall's Office to provide consultation and professional advice and to ensure cooperation and exchange of information.

Contact - External :

Regular contact with community-based pathologists and municipal and provincial police to provide expertise and autopsy services and advice; with all agencies involved in investigations to ensure cooperation and exchange information. Regular contact with participants of training programs (e.g., pathologists and forensic pathologists in-training, police officers, coroners, members of the legal profession, law students, undergraduate medical students and postgraduate physicians) to provide training as part of instructional programs. Regular contact with colleagues on a national and international level for liaison and collaboration.