Forensic Histopathology CESR Portfolio Guide
Complete guide to the Forensic Histopathology Portfolio Pathway: 11 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), 10 evidence sections, and a 10-year currency window. Based on official GMC Specialty Specific Guidance, published by Royal College of Pathologists.
SSG Version: 07/02/2025
Capabilities in Practice (CiPs)
The Forensic Histopathology SSG defines 11 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) that Portfolio Pathway applicants must demonstrate competence in.
Able to function effectively within healthcare and other organisational and management systems to deliver consistent high-quality patient care.
Able to work within ethical and legal frameworks across all aspects of clinical practice.
Communicates effectively and is able to share decision making, while maintaining appropriate situational awareness, professional behaviour and professional judgement.
Maintains patient safety at the forefront of clinical working. Can utilise quality improvement activity realistically within the constraints of the role.
Able to contribute to and support research.
Behaves as an educator in the context of the role and promotes educational culture.
Able to self-appraise, learn and adapt.
Able to demonstrate leadership and management within the laboratory setting for the benefit of patient care.
Able to use laboratory and other services effectively in the investigation, diagnosis, and management of patients, relatives, and the deceased.
Able to manage and contribute to a multidisciplinary team effectively.
Able to take, manage and interpret pathological specimens accurately and safely, mindful of risks to self and others.
Evidence Requirements
The SSG specifies 10 evidence sections. Each section describes what evidence to provide and how to present it.
Evidence of training, qualifications, and employment
Evidence of your training as background evidence to allow evaluators to see your whole career pathway.
What to provide
- Primary medical qualification (PMQ) if not fully registered with GMC
- Specialist medical qualifications (e.g., FRCPath)
- Authenticated copy of curriculum or syllabus for specialist training outside the UK
- Evidence of formal periodic assessment during training (e.g., ARCP)
- Other relevant postgraduate qualifications (degrees, diplomas)
- Up to date CV
- Employment letters confirming dates, post title, grade, and type of employment
- Job descriptions matching CV
How to present
Grouped together, authenticated, translated if not in English
Logbook or structured portfolio of evidence of professional experience
Evidence to indicate the breadth and volume of experience the applicant has had during their career.
What to provide
- Records of clinical consultations
- Participation in meetings
- Letters and similar correspondence
- Workload data, rotas, job plans/timetables
- Log of the total number of supervised reports undertaken
- At least 30 independently produced autopsy reports
- Evidence of broad experience of forensic pathology practice (scene examinations, liaison with legal professionals, giving evidence to a court)
How to present
Mapped to CiPs, anonymised
ARCPs and training assessments
Evidence of training progression and assessments.
What to provide
- Evidence of revalidation/appraisal documentation
- Appraisal forms including appraisers comments and discussion
How to present
Mapped to CiPs
Appraisals and assessments
Evidence of ongoing appraisal and workplace-based assessments.
What to provide
- Revalidation/appraisal portfolio
- Evidence of MDT working
- RCPath workplace-based assessments (WPBA)
How to present
Mapped to CiPs
360˚ and multi-source feedback
Evidence of feedback from colleagues.
What to provide
- Regular multi-source feedback or external/peer-review reports (at least once for every five years of practice in the most recent 10 years)
- Feedback from clinical colleagues, other medical specialties, other professions, and non-clinical colleagues
How to present
Mapped to CiPs
Management and leadership experience
Evidence of management activities and clinical leadership.
What to provide
- Letters/emails from Clinical Directors or senior colleagues
- Rotas
- Management training course certificates
- Minutes confirming personal contribution to a meeting or project
How to present
Mapped to CiPs
CPD record certificates, certificates of attendance
Evidence of life-long learning and continuing professional development.
What to provide
- Portfolio documenting evidence of life-long learning or CPD or CME
- Certificates of attendance for the five most relevant courses, conferences and meetings
- Annual summaries of CPD/CME activities
How to present
Mapped to CiPs
Audits and quality improvement activity
Evidence of quality improvement activities.
What to provide
- At least one complete cycle of audit/Qi activities (baseline measurement, intervention, further measurement)
- Reflection critically appraising the outcome and impact
- Project report, documentation, protocols or forms
How to present
Mapped to CiPs
Reflective practice
Evidence of reflective practice on complex scenarios.
What to provide
- Approximately 10 detailed reflections demonstrating skills across clinical, laboratory or managerial scenarios
How to present
Mapped to CiPs
Laboratory experience
Evidence of experience in the selection, validation and interpretation of laboratory tests.
What to provide
- Logbook of cases covering the range of conditions seen
- Medical reports across the breadth of practice
- Communications with colleagues advising them or answering queries
- Minutes of MDT meetings
- Documentation relating to criminal and Coroner’s court proceedings
- Evidence of participation in interpretive EQA
How to present
Mapped to CiPs
Knowledge Requirements
Primary Path
Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) by examination in forensic pathology
Alternative Path
Combination of FRCPath in histopathology AND the Royal College of Pathologists’ Diploma in Forensic Pathology, or a robust nationally/internationally recognised postgraduate examination in forensic pathology
Applicants who have passed neither can seek to demonstrate the same level of knowledge and skills by submitting alternative evidence mapped to each element of the FRCPath examination.
Referee Requirements
Referee Reports Required
Most recent 12 months of clinical practice (up to 3 years if in a very small team)
- At least one clinical lead or clinical director (clinical manager during most recent 12 months)
- At least two consultants practising in the specialty worked closely with during most recent 12 months
- At least one educational supervisor if in training within last five years
- Appraiser from the last two years (if applicable)
- Up to two consultants practising in another specialty (optional)
Volume and Assessment Targets
The SSG specifies minimum volume and assessment targets for this specialty.
Histopathology cases reported across the breadth of specimen types (e.g. surgical histopathology and cytopathology)
Cases
Full (invasive) postmortem examinations (or equivalent) covering a broad range of causes of death
Postmortem examinations
Suspicious, or possibly suspicious, deaths requiring a forensic pathologist to perform the autopsy
Autopsies
Independently produced autopsy reports covering a range of cases
Autopsy reports
Currency Window & Evidence Volume
Currency Window
Years
Evidence from the last 10 years will be accepted although a small amount of older evidence can be considered. Any significant gaps in training or experience (e.g. six months or more) in the last five years should be explained.
Evidence Volume
800-1000 pages
Additional Notes
Assessors attach high value to evidence that is readily identified as being personal, or unique, to the applicant.
Applicants who intend to apply to join the Home Office register of forensic pathologists should consider the criteria for admission to the register, particularly if they have not passed the FRCPath examination.
Please complete the template provided on the College website which allows you to list your evidence, map each piece of evidence to the relevant CiP and provide a commentary.
Do not submit original documents. You must provide your evidence electronically and anonymise (redact) identifiable information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Forensic Histopathology CESR portfolio?
How many framework units does Forensic Histopathology require?
What evidence is required for Forensic Histopathology specialist registration?
How long is the currency window for Forensic Histopathology?
Start Your Forensic Histopathology Portfolio
Map your evidence to the Forensic Histopathology framework, track readiness, and export your GMC submission.