Madeline Rollins completed a 180-hour internship with two forensic pathologists where she observed autopsies and assisted in the medical examiner's office. Her goals were to learn autopsy procedures like brain removal and to assess if forensic pathology was a good career fit. She gained experience with various duties like setting up autopsies, taking x-rays, and reviewing policies to help with the office's accreditation inspection. The internship helped confirm her interest in a medical career and exposed her to human anatomy and pathology.

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HLTH 4200
Madeline Rollins

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Internship Overview
 During the Fall semester of 2015 I interned with two forensic
pathologists for 180 hours.
 Through the internship I learned about the field of forensic
pathology and about human anatomy and physiology.
 I was able to observe autopsies and time in the office.
 I was able to interact with coroners from multiple counties and
with the autopsy assistants.

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Internship Goals
 I will learn the standard procedures for autopsies, recognizing
the difference between an unexpected death, a homicide, a
suicide, a drug overdose, etc.
 I will learn to remove a brain during an autopsy.
 I will learn about common anatomy and pathology.
 I will be familiar with the field of forensic pathology and will be
able to assess my interest in the field as a career.

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Medical Examiners
 Dr. Michael Ward is the Chief Medical Examiner.
 Dr. James Fulcher is the Deputy Medical Examiner. Dr. Fulcher
was my preceptor for the internship. He assessed my progress
and assigned my projects.
 Dr. Fulcher and Dr. Ward alternated weeks for performing
autopsies, so I observed both of them at work.
 Dr. Fulcher and Dr. Ward perform autopsies for Greenville and
surrounding counties and for Greenville Memorial Hospital.

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Internship Site
 Dr. Ward and Dr. Fulcher work in the Greenville County
Coroner’s Office.
 Greenville County coroners also work in the office.
 Autopsies are performed in the morgue at Greenville Memorial
Hospital.

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Autopsy Procedure
 When is an autopsy necessary?
 Corners make the decision on whether or not an autopsy is
necessary. If necessary they may consult the medical
examiner.
 An autopsy is required in a homicide, suicide, unexpected
death, accident, infant death, death of an inmate, death
within 24 hours of admittance to hospital, death after surgical
procedure and at the discretion of the coroner.
 The hospital may also order autopsies on patients at their
discretion.

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Autopsy Procedure
 What is done in an autopsy?
 During each autopsy, the autopsy assistant and I remove all
the organs from the body, starting with the heart and lungs,
and then moving to the abdomen.
 Once the organs are removed, the medical examiner will
dissect each organ. He will look for disease and
abnormalities that may have contributed to death. He will cut
out sections of organs to send to histology to be made into
slides. He will also save sections of organs in case further
investigation is needed.

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Autopsy Safety
 It is important to use proper protection during autopsies to
prevent the spread of disease.
 Proper protection includes:
 Surgical Gown
 Surgical Mask
 Eye Protection
 Two Pairs of Rubber Gloves
 One Pair of Cut-Resistant Gloves (worn in between the
rubber gloves)

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Internship Duties
 At the beginning of each case I set out the stock jars and
histological slides. I would then retrieve and weigh the body.
Next, I would help to remove clothing and medical equipment
from the body.
 If X-Rays were necessary, I took them to the Radiology
department to get developed.
 During the autopsy, I removed the brain.
 After the autopsy, I would clean the table and tools with a
disinfectant.

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 These pictures show me
helping to clean the autopsy
suite after a procedure.
 These pictures also display me
wearing some of the protective
gear such as gloves, scrubs
and a surgical gown.

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Brain Evisceration
 My main duty during autopsies was to remove the brain. By
taking responsibility for brain removal, I let the autopsy
assistant move more quickly through the body.
 The procedures for removing the brain are:
 Make an incision across the top of the scalp.
 Using a scalpel, separate the scalp from the skull.
 Reflect the scalp up to the level of the eyebrows.
 Remove a portion of the skull with a bone saw.

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Brain Evisceration
 Cut through the membranes surrounding the brain.
 Cut the optical nerves and spinal cord.
 Gently extract the brain.
Picture found from:
http://www.documentingreality.com/f
orum/f10/post-mortem-dissection-
photos-info-113407/

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Office Duties
 Back in the office Dr. Fulcher must dictate all of his cases.
 After he dictates them, an office assistant will write the autopsy
report.
 Dr. Fulcher will review the autopsy report for accuracy.
 Dr. Fulcher will then review histology slides, toxicology results,
and the autopsy report to determine a cause of death. He will
also consult the coroner.

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NAME Inspection
 NAME is the National Association of Medical Examiners.
NAME inspects and accredits offices. They inspect for the
minimum policies and procedures for an adequate medicolegal
system.
 I compared the office policies with the NAME accreditation
checklist.
 I reviewed and revised the office policies. I also wrote new
ones when necessary.
 I communicated with the doctors which parts we were missing
or needed to improve on.
 The office is now in the process of scheduling an inspection.

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Internship and my Career
 Working in my internship I was able to get first hand experience
with human anatomy and pathology. This continued to spike
my interest in a career in medicine.
 The medical examiner’s and medical students that rotated
through the department were very helpful in giving me
information and tips about applying to medical school.
 I am still open to exploring many fields of medicine, but
because of my internship forensic pathology may be a field I
research more.

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Conclusion
 My internship was a one-of-a-kind experience that was unlike
anything I could do in class.
 I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue exploring the
field of medicine.
 My experience would not have been the same without the
friendly and supportive people I was able to work with, and I
appreciate all of their help very much!