View Position Qualification

12-509-1270

Name

Fatality Management Forensic Pathologist

Status

Published

Version

1.3

Updated

1/16/2020 3:34:11 PM

Original Release

11/07/2017

Last Major Release

01/16/2020

NQS Position

Resource Category

Medical and Public Health

Primary Core Capability

Fatality Management Services

Secondary Core Capability

Resource Kind

Personnel

Overall Function

The Fatality Management (FM) Forensic Pathologist is specially trained physicians who examines the bodies of people who have died suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently to determine the cause and the manner of death

Single resource

In conjunction with a NIMS typed team

NIMS Typed Team

Fatality Management Morgue Forensic Team

In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit

NIMS Typed Unit

Description Notes

Not Specified

Supporting Core Capabilities
None

Types
Type	Description
Type 1	Same as Type 2, PLUS: Performs duties with decedents or within areas exposed to hazardous materials
Type 2	The FM Forensic Pathologist: 1. Serves as a Lead for Pathology or Triage Stations, as necessary 2. Oversees the forensic pathology function and assists in the admitting process with the identification of human remains and fragmented human remains 3. Assists with the forensic identification process by the preservation of sufficient evidence for later identification 4. Performs a triage process with the initial documentation and sorting of human remains at the temporary morgue site 5. Establishes guidelines in conjunction with the FM Morgue Forensic Team Leader for pathology procedures 6. Coordinates documentation, photography, and removal of personal effects from remains with the FM Personal Effects Specialist, FM Forensic Photographer, and FM Human Remains Recovery Documentation Specialist, as appropriate 7. Documents the extent of injuries and anatomic findings to assist in establishing the decedent’s cause of death and identification by close examination of remains 8. Performs triage functions by determining which morgue processing stations shall be used for the remains 9. Reports directly to the FM Morgue Forensic Team Leader

Education

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2
Type 2	Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), with specialty in Forensic Pathology

Training

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2, PLUS: Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.120: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
Type 2	Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. Training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness 6. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protection 7. Training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens

Experience

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2
Type 2	Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Intermediate computer skills, including e-mail, internet, word processing, and spreadsheet proficiency 2. Familiarity with evidence preservation and chain of custody Experience: Two years of forensic pathology experience within a medical examiner office, coroner system, forensic laboratory, or law enforcement agency

Physical/Medical Fitness

The NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions.

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2
Type 2	1. Arduous 2. Performs duties with exposure to whole and fragmented human remains in various stages of decomposition 3. Performs duties with sights and smells associated with death, including seeing children as victims, grieving survivors, and family members of missing victims 4. Maintains immunizations in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended adult immunization schedule for the United States of America

Currency

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2
Type 2	Functions in this position during an operational incident, planned event, exercise, drill, or simulation at least once every two years

Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Same as Type 2
Type 2	1. Active status of legal authority to function as a forensic pathologist from a State, the District of Columbia, or US Territory 2. The American Board of Pathology or The American Osteopathic Board of Pathology board certified

Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment

1152

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, NIMS 508: Fatality Management Morgue Forensic Team
FEMA, NIMS 509: Fatality Management Morgue Forensic Team Leader
FEMA, NIMS 509: Fatality Management Personal Effects Specialist
FEMA, NIMS 509: Fatality Management Forensic Photographer
FEMA, NIMS 509: Fatality Management Human Remains Recovery Documentation Specialist
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System, November 2017
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Immunization Recommendations for Disaster Responders
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Awareness, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.120: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.134: Respiratory Protections, latest edition adopted
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens, latest edition adopted

Version	Publish Date	Document Type
Published Versions
1.3	1/16/2020 3:34:11 PM	PDF
1.2	1/3/2019 4:46:43 PM	PDF
1.1	9/28/2018 5:15:40 PM	PDF
1.0	11/7/2017 5:20:33 PM	PDF