Forensic Pathology

Director: William Ralston, M.D .

The Division of Forensic Pathology partners with the Office of the State Medical Examiner, which is the central office of the statewide medical examiner-coroner system.  Deaths that occur in Kentucky that are of potential medico-legal nature, including sudden, unexpected, suspicious, violent, and police custody deaths, are reported to and investigated by county coroners, who may subsequently request an autopsy and further death investigation by the state medical examiners (all board certified/board eligible forensic pathologists).  The Louisville office provides services to 57 of the 120 Kentucky counties, with the remaining counties covered by state medical examiners in Frankfort and Northern Kentucky.  In addition, KY OCME also provides autopsy services to multiple counties in southern Indiana, as well as private autopsy services to requesting families.  In-house services include histology, radiology, and odontology.  The office has been continuously accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) since 2002.  ACGME-accredited fellowship training in forensic pathology is offered yearly.