A review of forensic pathologists in aviation pathology and accident investigation

In Malaysia, aviation accidents fall under the jurisdiction of the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and are subject to statutory investigation. The primary aim of these investigations is to reconstruct crash events, determine root causes, and recommend safety improvements, including modifications to aircraft design, to enhance survivability and prevent future incidents. Aviation pathology plays a crucial role in this process by confirming victim identities, establishing causes of death, contributing to crash sequence reconstruction, and ensuring a comprehensive analysis of human factors. This review examines key aspects of aviation pathology, including injury mechanisms and patterns, the forensic autopsy approach for aviation fatalities, and the correlation between injury findings and crash dynamics. Understanding these elements is essential for improving aviation safety and refining investigative methodologies.