Students will work alongside forensic pathology faculty and staff providing forensic pathology services in a high-volume medical examiner's office. Students will work alongside autopsy assistants, the forensic pathology fellow, and attending pathologists for five days, and will also attend daily forensic pathology conferences. Total time expectations will be 20-30 hours per week.

Students may develop an individualized research plan of their choice under the direction of a faculty member. Students should work with a faculty member to submit the form Elective Proposal to Educational Affairs at least eight weeks prior to the projected start date. This elective requires prior approval.

Students may develop an individualized course on a topic of their choice under the direction of a faculty member. Students should work with a faculty member to submit the form Elective Proposal to Educational Affairs at least eight weeks prior to the projected start date. This elective requires prior approval.

The Anatomic Pathology elective is intended for medical students in their fourth year and provides broad experience in general diagnostic techniques. Students will have opportunities for one on one teaching while rotating in anatomic pathology (surgical pathology cytopathology) and clinical lab (microbiology, hematology, blood banking). In anatomic pathology students will learn about routine histologic examination, use of special stains and immunohistochemistry, and personalized cancer care via molecular diagnostic testing.

By familiarizing the student with forensic pathology, to include scene investigation, clinical history, and autopsy findings, this 4-week elective rotation will enhance the student's ability to establish clinicopathologic correlations. Emphasis will be placed on the development and use of observational and deductive skills, and on self-directed independent study. This elective will also provide an orientation to basic forensic medicine through observation of and active participation in forensic autopsies, death scene investigation, educational resources available through the WMed Library, didactic instruction, observation of courtroom testimony when available, a presentation, and written autopsy reports. The student will receive focused instruction on Michigan Compiled Law as it pertains to physicians and the Medical Examiner's Office in addition to training in proper death certification. The student will be exposed to the related and overlapping fields of anthropology, criminal justice, odontology, and toxicology. The student's mastery of the material will be assessed through daily teaching rounds and a presentation to be given at the conclusion of the rotation.