Amy M. Tharp, MD

Forensic Pathologist

Dr. Amy M. Tharp is a Forensic Pathologist in Roanoke, VA with special training and skill in traditional medicine, forensic sciences, DNA technology, forensic serology, toxicology, trace evidence, and wound ballistics. As a Forensic Pathologist, Amy M. Tharp, MD performs research on the circumstances leading up to a death, and examines cadavers to determine the deceased's identity, as well as the time, causes, and manner of death. Forensic Pathology is a pathology subspecialty that examines cadavers that have died unexpectedly or violently. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Forensic Pathologists include death by both natural causes (disease) and unnatural causes (injury, suicide, or homicide). Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Forensic Pathologists include reviewing law-enforcement information regarding a death, obtaining the deceased medical histories, collecting evidence through imaging tests and tissue samples during an autopsy, determining the manner and cause of death, preparing official autopsy reports, providing these reports to public and health and safety agencies, and testifying about these findings in court.

A forensic pathologist is expert in investigating and evaluating cases of sudden, unexpected, suspicious and violent death as well as other specific classes of death defined by law. The forensic pathologist serves the public as coroner or medical examiner, or by performing medicolegal autopsies for such officials.