Pathology Education & Training

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The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences offers opportunities for medical students and residents to learn about the practice of forensic pathology and the death investigation process through 4-week medical student and resident elective rotations. The ACGME accredited Forensic Pathology Fellowship Program is a one-year intensive post-residency training. Click here to learn more about the forensic pathology fellowship program.

For more information, contact one of the following:

Training Development Coordinator
Pathology Coordinator
(832) 927-5111
[email protected]
Pathology Residency
Program Director
[email protected]

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences serves as a teaching center for training in the field of forensic sciences. Students and residents from Baylor Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and The Methodist Hospital are among the many educational institutions that that partner with HCIFS to send medical students and residents for elective rotations through the Institute of Forensic Sciences

Theunique elective curriculum provides students with exposure to multiple forensic disciplines and expertise, including:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Forensic Investigation
  • Forensic Photography
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Forensic Neuropathology
  • Entomology
  • Histology
  • Forensic Emergency Management
  • Forensic Genetics
  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Firearms Identification
  • Drug Chemistry
  • Trace Evidence


Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences partners with academic institutions via formal affiliation agreement to offer 4-week elective rotations for medical students.  During the rotation, medical students will observe and participate in daily medicolegal case presentations and observe forensic autopsies in various manners of death including natural, accident, suicide, and homicide. Residents receive an overview of the ancillary services provided at HCIFS including forensic investigations, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, histology, and the crime laboratory disciplines.

Medical students with an interest in a forensic pathology rotation at HCIFS should coordinate through the program director or electives coordinator at their academic institution. The program coordinator for the academic institution should coordinate with the HCIFS Forensic Pathology Administrative Coordinator, Samantha Abascal at [email protected].net.

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Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences partners with academic institutions via formal affiliation agreement to offer 4-week elective rotations for residents enrolled in anatomic or clinical pathology residency programs. The elective rotation for residents includes a daily medicolegal case presentation, observation of the forensic autopsy, performance of forensic autopsy under direct supervision of HCIFS forensic pathologists, and attendance at specialist consultations and case discussion meetings.  Residents receive an overview of the ancillary services provided at HCIFS including, forensic investigations, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, histology, and the crime laboratory disciplines. 

Residents with interest in a forensic pathology elective rotation at HCIFS should coordinate through the program director or electives coordinator at their academic institution. The academic institution representative will coordinate with the HCIFS Forensic Pathology Administrative Coordinator, Samantha Abascal at [email protected].net.