The programme is intended to cover the requirements for the Diploma in Medical Jurisprudence. Below are itemised the various elements of the training programme and, as can be seen, it is varied and intensive. The Academy is continually striving to meet the training and other educational needs of our doctors and we welcome feedback, good and not so good, to assist us in assuring that we provide the best possible teaching experience. Furthermore, if any doctors have any special requirements in terms of topics which they would like us to focus on, then of course we would be pleased to do our best to accommodate their needs. It is expected that all doctors attached to our Unit will have had a least three years experience in autopsy practice within a recognised forensic pathology department in the country in which they practise.

Post-mortem attendance

• Attendance at post-mortems and rendering assistance to the pathologist and APT in the mortuary in the same manner as an APT.
• No responsibility is taken by the trainee regarding the findings and cause of death. This is entirely the responsibility of the duty Coroner's pathologist.
• Assistance is at the discretion of and under the instruction of the Coroner's pathologist.

Guidance with case books and examination

• Trainees will be assisted with the choice of cases and the format required by the Society of Apothecaries.
• Additionally, the staff will give every assistance with general guidance on cases.
• It is vitally important that trainees at choose their cases very soon after their attachment to us in order that they can be properly prepared to the standard required by the Apothecaries.
• All DMJ trainees will attend regular mock-examination sessions to prepare for the written part of the DMJ exam. All answers will be reviewed and feedback will be provided as soon as possible to assist with revision.

Course attendance and other classroom activities

AFMS run three major courses annually which cover a wide scope of topics in the forensic medical sciences. These are:

1. The Diploma course in Forensic Medical Sciences
2. The Diploma course in Forensic Human Identification
3. The Diploma course in Management of the Dead

• Further classroom lectures as relevant to their subject area
• Other short courses from time to time (Blood Pattern Analysis course and others).
• Lecturers on our courses are local, national and international established forensic experts.

Regular presentation of cases at Mortality meetings

• All trainees are required to attend mortality meetings and present cases in which they have been involved.
• These meetings are held on a regular basis and are intended for all to share each other's experiences with different cases as well as improve skills in case presentation.

Attachments to other departments/specialties

Trainees will be attached on a rota basis to a number of other specialists to increase the depth of their knowledge in a number of key areas. These are as follows:

• Forensic (Homicide) Pathology, Newcastle University Hospital with Dr Nigel Cooper
• Paediatric Forensic Pathology, Sheffield Children's Hospital with Professor Marta Cohen
• Cardiac Pathology, St George's Hospital with Professor Mary Sheppard
• Other attachments as necessary