Forensic pathology is pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. A post mortem is performed by a medical examiner, usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions. Forensic pathology refers to an area of study; not an individual. It can be defined as “a branch of medicine that applies the principles and knowledge of the medical sciences to problems in the field of law,”. Consequently, to be a practicing forensic pathologist, one must also be a medical doctor. If one refers to oneself as a forensic pathologist without holding a medical degree, and a board certification in forensic pathology, this could be considered fraud, if not perjury when done under oath (e.g., affidavits and sworn testimony). Forensic pathology is increasingly relied upon by judicial systems, even in countries with strong religious and cultural opposition to the performance of autopsies. There are very few, if any, countries in the world where no autopsies for forensic purposes are performed. The numbers and types of death investigated by autopsy vary considerably from country to country. While the disinclination on cultural or religious grounds to perform more autopsies than are absolutely necessary must be respected, this must be accompanied by caution.