Add forensic pathologist to the list of fields it never occurred to us might be experiencing shortages of qualified people right now. According to Jessica Holstein, assistant director of communications for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, part of the reason for an unsettling backlog at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is just such a shortage nationwide.

“There is a backlog for case completion at OCME,” Holstein told The State Journal. “OCME’s goal is always to meet the national standard of completing 90% of cases within 90 days of autopsy. OCME currently has an average of approximately 240 days for case closure.”

According to the DHHR, the chief medical examiner’s office is expected to perform death investigations, establish cause and manner of death, formulate conclusions, opinions or testimony in judicial proceedings, and be available for consultations as necessary. Reasons given for the backlogs are workforce shortages, facility limitations, and DNA testing center problems.

“Currently the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas has a backlog in excess of 12 months and is not accepting additional cases at this time. The other option is the FBI, which has a waiting list for sample submissions, and it takes an average of 6 to 8 months to receive results,” Holstein said.

In other words, there does not seem to be a quick solution, but long-term, there is a need for the kinds of people who have the very specific education and skills needed in these labs and offices. West Virginia lawmakers are likely to be asked to make changes that will provide a immediate relief, but not a real solution.

Educators and students take note. Here is yet another field in which the need is greater than the number of those able to do the work. Perhaps those whose interest is piqued now can be part of the long-term solution in the future.