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🎓 New Zealand Certificate in Coronial Autopsy Pathology (NZCCAP)
Post-Fellowship Qualification for FRCPA Anatomical Pathologists
RCPath CHAT AlignedRCPA Post-FellowshipNew Zealand Coronial Practice
Version 1.0 — Draft Curriculum for RCPA / RCPath Alignment
📘 NZCCAP Syllabus
Comprehensive Training Curriculum — Version 1.0 (Draft)
Executive Summary
This programme is designed as a New Zealand post-Fellowship credential enabling experienced FRCPA Anatomical Pathologists to practise independently within the New Zealand Coronial System for cases within anatomical pathology scope, while recognising cases requiring specialist forensic pathology expertise.
It follows the philosophy and competency framework of the Royal College of Pathologists Certificate of Higher Autopsy Training (CHAT), incorporating New Zealand legislation, Tikanga Māori, post-mortem imaging, toxicology, court processes and CFTK clinical standards.
Proposed awarding body
CFTK Clinical Governance, with future endorsement sought from relevant professional bodies.
Reference standards
RCPath CHAT; RCPath Cellular Pathology Curriculum and Autopsy Guidelines Series; RCPath workplace-based assessment and relevant PMCT, sudden cardiac death, neuropathology, toxicology and court guidance; RCPA Anatomical Pathology Curriculum; RCPA Forensic Pathology Curriculum for scope boundaries; Coroners Act 2006; New Zealand Ministry of Justice Coronial Services; CFTK Clinical Standards.
Qualification Structure
| Duration | Supervised cases | Assessment framework |
|---|---|---|
| 6–12 months | 60 autopsies | CHAT-style portfolio |
Entry Requirements
- FRCPA in Anatomical Pathology, or recognised international equivalent.
- Current vocational registration, or eligibility, in New Zealand.
- Minimum 12 months consultant practice in Anatomical Pathology recommended.
- Commitment to supervised coronial autopsy training.
Curriculum Framework
- New Zealand Coronial Law and Practice
- Cultural Safety and Tikanga Māori
- External Examination
- Internal Examination and Organ Dissection
- Histopathology and Ancillary Investigations
- Forensic Toxicology and Biochemistry
- Post Mortem Imaging (PMCT / PMCTA / MRI)
- Cause of Death and Coronial Reporting
- Court Skills and Expert Witness Practice
- Quality Assurance, Ethics and Scope of Practice
Case Requirements
Minimum: 60 supervised coronial autopsies. Cases may contribute to multiple exposure categories.
| Case category | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Sudden unexpected natural deaths | 25 |
| Cardiovascular deaths, including sudden cardiac death | 15 |
| Respiratory deaths | 5 |
| Neurological / cerebrovascular deaths | 3 |
| Infectious deaths / sepsis | 3 |
| Gastrointestinal / hepatic / pancreatic deaths | 3 |
| Drug or poisoning deaths | 5 |
| Alcohol-related deaths | 3 |
| Medical and surgical deaths | 5 |
| Hanging deaths | 3 |
| Drowning / bodies recovered from water | 2 |
| Fire / smoke inhalation deaths | 2 |
| Accidental blunt trauma / falls | 3 |
| Road traffic deaths appropriate for AP practice | 2 |
| Decomposed bodies | 2 |
| Negative / unascertained autopsies | 2 |
| Cases discussed with or escalated to Forensic Pathology | 3 |
Additional Mandatory Exposure
| Exposure | Minimum |
|---|---|
| PMCT reviewed before autopsy | 5 |
| Histology personally interpreted | 30 |
| Toxicology interpretation | 20 |
| Microbiology interpretation | 5 |
| Fixed brain examination | 5 |
| Genetics / inherited cardiac disease discussion | 2 |
Mandatory Practical Procedures
| Procedure | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Complete adult coronial autopsy | 2 DOPS |
| External examination | 1 DOPS |
| Heart removal and coronary dissection | 1 DOPS |
| Brain removal | 1 DOPS |
| Fixed brain examination | 1 DOPS |
| Anterior neck dissection | 1 DOPS |
| Posterior neck dissection | Observed |
| Pulmonary embolus / deep vein examination | Observed |
| Toxicology sampling | 1 DOPS |
| Microbiology / vitreous sampling | Observed |
| Pneumothorax examination | Observed |
| Examination of operative sites | Observed |
Detailed Curriculum Modules
1 — New Zealand Coronial Law and Practice
Coroners Act 2006; reportable deaths; NIIO workflow; authority for examination; limited versus full autopsy; tissue retention; Coroner requests; records and police information; chain of custody; disclosure obligations.
Evidence: 2 CBA, one reflective piece and attendance at one Coroner's Court.
2 — Cultural Safety and tikanga Māori
Te Tiriti obligations; tikanga surrounding tūpāpaku; whānau engagement; organ/tissue return; less-invasive approaches; PMCT-first pathways; religious and cultural considerations.
Assessment: ICE involving whānau or cultural liaison communication.
3 — External Examination
Structured documentation of identification, clothing, intervention, tattoos, scars, lividity, rigor, decomposition, petechiae, needle marks and injuries. Mandatory skills include photography, measurement, body diagrams and injury mapping.
4 — Internal Examination and Organ Dissection
Virchow, Letulle, Ghon and Rokitansky techniques; cardiovascular, respiratory, CNS, gastrointestinal/hepatic, renal and endocrine examination; coronary dissection, infarct ageing, cardiomyopathy, valves, aorta, pulmonary embolism and appropriate special dissections.
5 — Histopathology
At least 30 coronial cases covering cardiac, lung, brain, liver, kidney, pancreas, infection, CPR artefact and decomposition artefact; whole-slide imaging and gross-histological correlation.
6 — Toxicology
Sampling hierarchy including femoral/peripheral/central blood, urine, vitreous, gastric contents, liver and hair. Interpretation includes opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, carbon monoxide, cyanide and insulin, with emphasis on tolerance, interaction and post-mortem redistribution.
7 — Post Mortem Imaging
PMCT anatomy, gas artefact, fractures, intracranial haemorrhage, coronary calcification, aortic pathology, pneumothorax, devices and foreign bodies; PMCTA principles and paediatric MRI. Minimum exposure: 5 PMCT-before-autopsy cases and 2 PMCT-only MDT discussions.
8 — Cause of Death and Coronial Reporting
WHO certification, immediate/underlying/sequential causes, Part II conditions, drug and combined causes, unascertained deaths, CFTK and RCPath-style reporting, Coroner narrative and opinion writing.
9 — Court Skills
Statement writing, evidence, boundaries, explanation of pathology, cross-examination, literature and impartiality. Assessment includes one structured mock coronial hearing.
10 — Quality Assurance
Peer review, MDM, audit, incident reporting, reflective practice, AI governance, ISO 15189 and digital pathology validation.
Workplace-Based Assessment Matrix
| Assessment | Required |
|---|---|
| DOPS | 6 |
| Case Based Assessment / CbD | 6 |
| ICE / ECE | 4 |
| Report Assessment | 4 |
| Reflective Practice | 4 |
| Mock Court Assessment | 1 |
Total assessments: 25.
Examination Pathway
Stage 1 — Portfolio Review
60 logged autopsies, completed workplace assessments, supervisor sign-off, reflections and CPD evidence.
Stage 2 — Practical Autopsy Examination
Observed autopsy with assessment of case review, external/internal examination, pathology recognition, sampling, interpretation and professional practice.
Stage 3 — OSPE / Viva
Proposed 12-station blueprint: sudden cardiac death; drug toxicity; PMCT; histology; cause of death; postoperative death; hanging; drowning; fire toxicology; decomposition/artefact; cultural safety; Coroner communication.
Stage 4 — Final NZ Credentialing Viva
Panel: Forensic Pathologist, senior coronial AP and independent external examiner. Discussion includes portfolio, three complex cases, adverse event, unascertained death and escalation decision.
Scope of Independent Practice
Following certification, scope is intended to include sudden natural deaths; cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological deaths; drug/alcohol deaths; medical/surgical deaths; falls; selected road traffic, hanging and drowning cases; environmental deaths; non-suspicious fire deaths; negative autopsies and decomposition within AP scope.
Mandatory Referral to Forensic Pathology
| Referral category | Reason |
|---|---|
| Suspected homicide | Criminal investigation |
| Child abuse / inflicted injury | Specialist injury interpretation |
| Firearm deaths | Ballistics / wound interpretation |
| Sharp force homicide | Injury reconstruction |
| Complex blunt trauma | Mechanism reconstruction |
| Deaths in custody / police restraint | Independent specialist forensic investigation |
| Sexual assault deaths | Forensic evidence collection |
| Explosions / aviation / DVI | Specialist forensic practice |
| Suspected third-party involvement | Forensic pathology oversight |
Certification Requirements
60 supervised autopsies and required case mix; 6 DOPS; 6 CBA/CbD; 4 ICE/ECE; 4 report assessments; 4 reflections; supervisor report; portfolio approval; practical examination; OSPE/viva; final credentialing panel approval.
Award
New Zealand Certificate in Coronial Autopsy Pathology (NZCCAP)
The holder has demonstrated competence to undertake independent coronial autopsy practice within the New Zealand Coronial System for all deaths within the Anatomical Pathology scope of practice and has demonstrated the ability to recognise cases requiring specialist Forensic Pathology referral.
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🔠NZCCAP Virtual Learning Environment
Candidate Portfolio & Case Dashboard
Interactive Portfolio Dashboard
Live graphical progress calculated from the case logbook, exposure record, signed workplace assessments and supervisor review.
Candidate Profile
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Case Logbook
| Case | Date | Site | Category | PMCT | Histology | Toxicology |
|---|
Case-Mix & Certification Status
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Workplace-Based Assessment Portfolio
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Supervisor Portal
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Final Supervisor Review
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Certification Checklist
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Personal conference CPD/CPDP record
Personal evidence portfolio for conferences, courses, scientific meetings and continuing medical education.
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