The 12-month Forensic Pathology Fellowship provides robust, hands-on training at the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner (OME), an institution accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners. The Denver Office of the Medical Examiner handles approximately 1,500 death investigations, performing approximately 1,000 full autopsies and 500 external examinations and/or record reviews annually.
Clinical and Forensic Training
The fellowship provides primary training at OME, including experience in:
- DNA/serology
- Firearms and ballistics
- Trace evidence analysis
- Crime scene investigation
- Latent fingerprint identification
- Drug analysis
Additional rotations at the Denver Police Department Crime Laboratory and a local forensic toxicology lab provide training in DNA/serology, firearms/ballistics, trace evidence, crime scene investigations, latent prints, and drug analysis.
Fellow Responsibilities
- Perform 200–250 autopsies with responsibility for drafting final reports and certifying deaths
- Engage directly with families, law enforcement, attorneys, healthcare professionals, and others
- Participate in:
- Community emergency preparedness
- Death review processes
- Providing testimony and expert opinions
- Educating residents and medical students
- Build competencies in autopsy techniques, forensic photography, evidence collection, interpreting postmortem data, and remains identification.
- Fellows are encouraged to present their work at national forensic meetings
Eligibility & Application Process
- Applicants must have successfully completed an ACGME-accredited anatomic or anatomic pathology/clinical pathology residency at the start of the fellowship year.
- Applicants must be AP or AP/CP board-eligible or board-certified by the American Board of Pathology prior to the start of the fellowship year.
- Applicants must have one of the following qualifications:
- Graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
- Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
- Graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada who meet one of the following qualifications:
- Have received a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates prior to appointment
- Have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a US licensing jurisdiction in which they are training (either training certificate or permanent medical license as granted by Colorado Medical Board)
- Graduates of medical schools outside the United States who have completed a Fifth Pathway program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school any appropriately accredited Pathology residency program are eligible.
- This position requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (no visa sponsorship)
Application Timeline & Submission
Now accepting applications for the 2028–2029 cycle
- Applications are submitted via ERAS
- Participation in the NRMP Match is required
- An application through the City and County of Denver’s job portal is required (a link will be available here when the posting is open)
Compensation & Benefits
Fellows are considered employees of the City and County of Denver. The current salary range is $80,217- $132,358, with benefits aligned to ACGME requirements.