Forensic Pathologist Determines Cause Of Pilot’s Death Following Crash
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Case Overview
This case involves a light plane co-pilot who died from injuries sustained in a crash. The pilots needed to make an emergency landing when they realized the light plane was having engine trouble. As the plane went down, the pilot maintained consciousness and survived, but the co-pilot succumbed to his injuries. It was alleged the co-pilot’s seat was defective and failed to take the impact of the crash the way it was designed to. An expert in forensic pathology was sought to review the medical records and autopsy and confirm how the co-pilot died.
Questions to the Forensic Pathology expert and their responses
What is your experience in forensic pathology?
I have been a practicing forensic pathologist and medical examiner for 28+ years. During my career, I have worked for city, county, regional, and statewide systems. I was the principal author of a prestigious forensic investigators trauma atlas. I have lectured on transportation injuries at a pathology institute seminar and have also taught numerous other groups about vehicle crashes, including air transport. I have examined multiple vehicle crashes over the past 28 years that I have been in practice including helicopters, light planes, and gliders. In these cases, routine questions involve pilot injuries and activity.
About the expert
This expert has over 25 years of experience in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and forensic pathology. He obtained his BS in biochemistry from the University of Georgia, followed by his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina. He then completed a residency in clinical pathology, a residency in anatomic pathology, and a fellowship in forensic pathology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Today, this expert is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and forensic pathology. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the College of American Pathologists, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the American Academy of Clinical Pathologists, and the National Association of Medical Examiners. He is also very active in academia, having published and presented extensively on various topics in pathology. This expert previously was the chief of autopsy service for the Department of Forensic Sciences, the chief of investigative services for the Department of Forensic Sciences, the chief medical examiner for the State of Alabama, and the supervising medical examiner for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Additionally, he served as the director of the autopsy program and as a clinical assistant professor of pathology at Mercer University School of Medicine. Currently, he is the owner of a forensic pathology consultancy, the medical director of a university in South Carolina, an associate medical examiner for a county in Georgia, and a forensic pathologist at a coroner's office in South Carolina.

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About the author
Victoria Negron
Victoria Negron has extensive experience in journalism and thought leadership in the legal space, with a background crafting content, whitepapers, webinars, and current event articles pertaining to the role of expert witnesses in complex litigation matters. She is a skilled professional specializing in B2B product marketing and content marketing. Currently, she serves as an Enterprise Product Marketing Manager at Postman, and previously held the position of Technical Product Marketing Manager at Palantir Technologies, where she developed her skills in launch strategies, go-to-market strategy, and competitive analysis.
Her expertise in content marketing was further refined during her tenure at the Expert Institute, where she progressed from a Marketing Writer to Senior Content Marketing Manager, and eventually to Associate Director of Content & Product Marketing. In these roles, she honed her abilities in digital marketing, SEO, content strategy, and thought leadership.
Educationally, Victoria holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Art, and Hispanic Studies from Hamilton College. Her diverse educational background and professional experience have equipped her with a robust skill set in product marketing, content development, and strategic marketing initiatives.
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