Forensic Pathology
Fellowship Program
The Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office (DCME) Forensic Pathology Fellowship offers a comprehensive and dynamic training experience for physicians pursuing a career in forensic pathology. Fellows gain in-depth, hands-on experience through regular participation in death scene investigations and a broad, diverse caseload spanning both urban and rural counties.
The program features over 40 onsite didactic lectures annually and includes specialized training opportunities such as a oneweek rotation at the University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility, a one-week rotation at National Medical Services (NMS) Labs, and multi-week rotations at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fellows also attend national conferences including the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), ensuring exposure to cutting-edge developments in the field. This fellowship is ideal for those seeking a rigorous, well-rounded foundation in forensic pathology within a collaborative and supportive academic environment.
Curriculum
The MSM DCMEO Forensic Pathology Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program designed to provide comprehensive training in the field of forensic pathology. The curriculum includes in-depth, hands-on experience in forensic pathology, toxicology, physical anthropology, firearms analysis, trace evidence, serology, and courtroom testimony. Fellows participate in autopsies, scene investigations, and legal proceedings, gaining handson experience with complex cases likely to result in criminal or civil litigation.
The DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office
A forensic pathology fellowship rotation at the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office
(DCMEO) offers an exceptional training experience within a high-volume, diverse medicolegal
death investigation system. As a NAME-accredited facility, DCMEO serves over 760,000
residents in both urban and suburban areas of DeKalb County, Georgia. Fellows benefit
from exposure to a wide variety of case types through the office's hybrid public-private
model. In addition to DeKalb County cases, DCMEO physicians perform autopsies and
provide consultation services for surrounding rural jurisdictions, including Henry,
Hall, Rockdale, and Barrow Counties.
This fellowship offers forensic pathology fellows the opportunity to refine their
autopsy technique, deepen their medicolegal knowledge, and gain valuable experience
interfacing with law enforcement, attorneys, and death investigators in a multidisciplinary environment.
Our Faculty and Staff
The fellowship is supported by a dedicated team of board-certified forensic pathologists with over 150 years of combined experience. Many faculty members also hold academic appointments at leading medical institutions. Fellows are further supported by a skilled team of certified pathologists' assistants, forensic technicians, experienced death investigators, and knowledgeable administrative staff-all of whom play a vital role in daily operations and fellow education.
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| Gerald T. Gowitt, MD Program Director |
Alma Fuller Fellowship Program Manager |
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