Category:Forensic Pathology

Forensic pathology is the science of examining a corpse, typically by recourse to autopsy, for the purpose of establishing its cause of death. Truly competent forensic pathologists are trained medical doctors. Morticians, given their involve with corpses, are often enough pressed into the role of forensic pathologists.

Anyone may attempt to determine the cause of death by examining the corpse for 10 minutes and making a successful heal skill check against a DC determined by the cause of death itself. It is ridiculously easy to identify bludgeoning, piercing or slashing wounds from weapons or natural weapons as the cause of death. It is very easy identity exposure to inapt environmental conditions with drowning, smoke inhalation, freezing, burning, and the like being the resulting cause of death. It is easy to identity magic as the cause of death when the harm that it does involves physical changes in the corpse itself such as the damaged caused by an explosive ruins or shout spell. It is difficult to identify poison as the cause of death. And is very difficult to identity magic is the cause of death when the harm that it does does not involve a physical change in the corpse itself such as with the an energy drain or symbol of death spell. The DC is increased by one step with each day passing day. The examiner of the corpse has the option of Taking 10, but the examination then takes 200 minutes. Forensic pathologists are presumed to generally Take 10, using the time to perform a proper autopsy. The attempt to determined the cause of death may be repeated.