In the United States, forensic pathologists typically complete at least one year of additional training (a fellowship) after completing an anatomical pathology residency and having passed the "board" examination administered by The American Board of Pathology or The American Osteopathic Board of Pathology ("board-certified"). Becoming an anatomic pathologist in the United States requires completing a residency in anatomic pathology, which is on-the-job training one must perform upon completing medical school before one may practice unsupervised. Anatomic pathology (as it is called) by itself is a three-year residency. Most U.S. pathologists complete a combined residency in both anatomic and clinical pathology, which requires a total of four years.
In the United States, all told, the education after high school is typically 13–15 years in duration (4 years undergraduate training + 4 years medical school + 4–5 years residency [anatomic and clinical pathology combined] + 1-2 year forensic pathology fellowship). Generally, the biggest hurdle is gaining admission to medical school, although the pass rate for anatomic and forensic pathology board examinations (in the U.S.) is approximately 80-90 and 90-100 percent, respectively. The courts do not require American Board of Pathology certification in order for a witness to be qualified as an expert in the field of forensic pathology, and there are several "diploma mills" that give online certificates in the field.[11]
미국에서 법의학자는 forensic pathologist라고 부르며, pathologist가 되려면 의대 졸업 후 의사면허를 취득해 약 5~7년간 병원의 병리학과에서 일하면서 병리학과 전문의 자격과 법의학쪽 수련을 받아야 합니다.(덱스터가 처음 극중시간으로 2006년에 35세였다고 하니 나이에는 여유가 있음)
즉 덱스터는 그냥 의사도 아니고 전문의인데 병을 고치는 전문의는 아니지요. 의학적 지식은 충분하지만 직접 환자와 대면하며 임상적인 치료를 행해본 경험은 거의 없고 법의학만 죽어라 판 의사라고 보시면 되겠습니다.