|
Synopsis
Dr Lai is a
Forensic Pathologist with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). He is an
Associate Consultant at the Centre of Forensic Medicine (CFM). I conducted an
interview with him to better understand the job, how he worked towards it and
what made him decide to pursue this career. From the profiling, I hope to answer
my own personal questions and find out if forensic pathology is a suitable
career for me.
What is a Forensic Pathologist?
A forensic pathologist is a medical doctor
who combines the knowledge of pathology (study of diseases) and medicine to
investigate the effect of diseases on a person, and is often needed to help the
police solve crimes. In crime cases, Dr Lai often needs to conduct post-mortem
examinations on the deceased to look for clues on the cause of death, before
submitting a report to the coroner for him to investigate the ‘who, what, when,
where, how and why’ of a person’s death. In Singapore, a forensic pathologist
participates in the medico-legal investigation of death, supporting the State
Coroner in his function. The system handles all investigations related to sudden
unexpected deaths and all deaths due to unnatural causes and circumstances such
as suicide, murder, or
accidents. In cases of unnatural deaths and in cases where the cause of death is
unknown, post-mortem examinations will be performed.
|
For example, in murder
cases, forensic pathologists attend the scene to investigate how the
victim had died,
so that they may provide
clues to the police for further investigation. Pathologists will check
the corpse for wounds, and determine the approximate time of death. The
corpse will then be sent to the mortuary for a detailed post-mortem
examination.
In cases of sudden death
where the victim collapses and dies, the coroner and pathologist will
study the case together. If the coroner decides that there is a need for
a post-mortem examination, the pathologist will carry out the
examination to determine the cause of death. |
 |
Pursuing the Path of Forensic Pathology
Dr Lai chose this career primarily out of
interest. His mentor, the late Professor Chao, was both a forensic pathologist
and a lecturer when Dr Lai was a medical student and Professor Chow was a big
factor in inspiring him towards the career. He feels that this career combines
the best of both worlds - medicine and crime-solving.
Dr Lai’s training to become a fully qualified
forensic pathologist was not an easy one. He had to first achieve a medical
degree, then go through housemanship/internship training as a junior doctor to
obtain full registration as a doctor, then go through postgraduate medical
training in forensic pathology, which can take as long as eight years. During
his studies, he had gotten used to facing corpses everyday and performing
examinations on them, something he would have to do as a forensic pathologist.
Dr Lai is generally very satisfied with his career
and enjoys his job tremendously. Occasionally, he does face challenges, for
example, examining badly decomposed bodies, which are unsightly and smell badly.
Some of his helpers became sick and even threw up but Dr Lai was glad that it
has not happened to him.
Choosing Your Career Well
Dr Lai firmly believes that a career must be
selected out of interest, and once you have picked a career, you should be
committed to it and plan for it. Once he had decided on forensic pathology, he
did not waver from his path.
His advice to me was: “Choose a career seriously;
choose one that will never give you a chance for regrets. One life, 24 hours a
day, be contented with what we have. Work towards your future and do the best
you can.”
Having seen so many people who have died from
accidents, sickness, diseases and drugs, Dr Lai has learnt to value life more.
He is adamant that we should not waste time while we are alive, and be
appreciative of what we have. For instance, traffic accident cases have taught
Dr Lai that speeding, drinking and driving can kill, just as an unhealthy
lifestyle kills more people than cancer. While we are alive, we should eat
balanced diets and live responsibly.
Afterthoughts
Before profiling Dr Lai, I had considered becoming
a pathologist, but now I feel I lack the courage to face corpses everyday. Dr
Lai has instilled in me the importance of choosing a career carefully and one
that will leave me with no regrets. I am grateful to him for imparting his
wisdom to me. I admire his determination and I hope to eventually possess the
same qualities that have brought him success in life.
References
1. Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
2. Centre for Forensic Medicine (CFM)
3. Singapore Press Holdings Newspapers, Lianhe Wanbao, 18 – 22 April 2005
4. www.hsa.gov.sg – Health Sciences Authority
5. http://www.hsa.gov.sg/html/cfm/about_cfm.html - Centre for Forensic Medicine
|
