There is a national shortage of forensic pathologists—about 850 practicing nationwide—that is delaying autopsies and medicolegal investigations and affecting justice, public health, and families.

Contributing factors include the field's low visibility in medical education, limited insurance-driven revenue support, and compensation that lags behind other pathology subspecialties.

Strategies to address the shortage involve expanding residency and fellowship opportunities, engaging more board-certified pathologists to train newcomers, and offering competitive pay to attract and retain talent.

The shortage stems from workforce declines and retirements accelerated by the pandemic, rising caseloads from opioid-related deaths, and economic factors that keep salaries low in government and public-sector roles.

A historically small and aging workforce, coupled with limited medical student exposure to forensic pathology, has limited pipeline development and future recruitment.

Long-term solutions also include modernizing facilities, increasing funding across jurisdictions, and elevating forensic pathology awareness in medical schools to encourage early exposure and mentorship.

Geographic and operational bottlenecks occur when a single medical examiner handles hundreds of deaths annually, delaying criminal cases, insurance claims, and closure for grieving families.