What does the term “forensic pathology” refer to?

The term "forensic pathology" specifically refers to the branch of medicine that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a deceased individual. This field involves the evaluation of medical histories, performance of autopsies, and the analysis of tissue samples to understand the circumstances surrounding a person's death. Forensic pathologists often work closely with law enforcement and legal professionals to provide insights that can be vital in criminal investigations, particularly in cases of unexplained or suspicious deaths.

In contrast, the other options refer to different areas of expertise. Legal practices in court pertain to the workings of law and the judicial system, while the analysis of financial documents for fraud is related to forensic accounting. Lastly, the examination of physical evidence at crime scenes falls under forensic science disciplines like forensic anthropology or forensic biology, rather than specifically forensic pathology. Each of these fields contributes to the overall understanding of crime and investigation, but forensic pathology is distinct in its focus on medical and biological aspects surrounding death.