Joseph A. Prahlow, M.D.
Professor; Department of Pathology
Deputy chief medical examiner; forensic pathologist
St. Louis City Medical Examiner's Office
Courses Taught
Medicolegal death investigator training
Education
Distant/Correspondence Student in Homeopathy
Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine
Fellowship
Forensic pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Residency
Anatomic and clinical pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Medical School
Indiana University School of Medicine
Bachelor of Science
Valparaiso University, Indiana
Practice Areas
Joseph Prahlow is a forensic pathologist; deputy chief medical examiner for the Office
of the Medical Examiner in St. Louis; and a professor of pathology at Saint Louis
University School of Medicine. He previously served as a deputy medical examiner for
numerous Michigan counties and was employed by Western Michigan University Homer Stryker
M.D. School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he was a professor and vice
chair within the Department of Pathology. Prior to his Michigan years, Prahlow completed
16 years of service as a forensic pathologist at the South Bend Medical Foundation
and as a faculty member at Indiana University School of Medicine, as well as three
years at the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office in Dallas, Texas.
Prahlow is board-certified by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic, clinical
and forensic pathology. Throughout his career, he has performed over 7,000 autopsies
and given hundreds of testimonies.
Prahlow’s professional interests include teaching as well as presenting and publishing
forensic pathology research. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers in medical/scientific
journals and 30 book chapters in various forensic textbooks/publications. He has also
been an editor or author of several forensic science textbooks.
Prahlow enjoys presenting research at scientific meetings, and he has been an invited
speaker at a variety of local, state, national and international meetings. During
his career, he has received numerous teaching awards. More than 110 of his peer-reviewed
publications have been collaborations with students, residents or fellows as first
authors.
Prahlow is a past chairman of the pathology/biology section within the American Academy
of Forensic Sciences.
In his free time, Prahlow enjoys family life with his wife, who is a nurse with expertise
in the alternative medical discipline of classical homeopathy. They are the proud
parents of five children, and they have nine grandchildren.
Research Interests
- Autopsy pathology
- Forensic pathology
- Classical Homeopathy
Labs and Facilities
Publications and Media Placements
Recent Publications
- Prahlow JA, Bihun T, Barnard JJ, Becker V, Bailey J, Weedn V. Robots, Death, and Medicolegal Death Investigation. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2026 May 27. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000001144. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42192249.
- Medwick AJ, Prahlow JA. Death Related to Fistulas Involving the Gastrointestinal and Cardiovascular Systems. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2026 May 5:19253621261448610. doi: 10.1177/19253621261448610. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42100163; PMCID: PMC13144289.
- Tran TN, Prahlow J. Little Bullets but Big Impacts: The 0.17 HMR and 2 Homicide Cases. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2026 Apr 29. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000001136. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42050741.
- Cohen PR, Hanson KF, Prahlow JA. Tinea Corporis and Tinea Pedis Can Masquerade As Other Cutaneous Conditions in Decedents: Forensic Dermatology of Dermatophyte Infections. Cureus. 2026 Jan 13;18(1):e101452. doi: 10.7759/cureus.101452. PMID: 41694988; PMCID: PMC12900264.
- Prahlow JA. Sharply Upward or Downward Trajectories of Gunshot Wounds Involving the Head and Neck. Ann Clin Case Stud. 2025; 7(1): 1107.
- Porat YY, Fisher-Hubbard AO, Castellani RJ, Prahlow JA. Ecchordosis physaliphora. ASCP Case Rep Forensic Pathol 2025;FP2025:1-12.
- Tran V, Prahlow JA. College of American Pathologists Forensic Pathology Resource Committee. 2025 FR-B: Forensic Pathology Program: Case 9 – Sudden Death in a Four-Day-Old – Congenital Aortic Valve Stenosis. Northfield, IL: CAP;2025:46-56.
- Cohen PR, Moss RJ Jr, Prahlow JA. Livor Mortis and Forensic Dermatology: A Review of Death-Related Gravity-Dependent Lividity and Postmortem Hypostasis. Cureus. 2025 Aug 22;17(8):e90760. doi: 10.7759/cureus.90760. PMID: 40984954; PMCID: PMC12450430.
- Cohen PR, Tran S, Garritson EM, Prahlow JA. A fatal case of Munchausen syndrome: Forensic dermatology aids in establishing the diagnosis. Dermatol Online J. 2025 Sep 8;31(4). doi: 10.25251/bwk6z618. PMID: 41171792.
- Cohen PR, Prahlow JA. Forensic Dermatology of Postmortem Tanning: A Unique Phenomenon That Can Occur After Death. Cureus. 2025 Aug 4;17(8):e89375. doi: 10.7759/cureus.89375. PMID: 40909050; PMCID: PMC12408122.
- Wassink J, Holobyn T, Prahlow JA. Gunshot Wound With Massive Intraintestinal Hemorrhage. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2026 Jun 1;47(2):203-205. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000001074. Epub 2025 Sep 15. PMID: 40938215.
- Wu S, Prahlow JA. Sudden Death Caused by Bilateral Diaphragmatic Eventration in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2025 Dec 1;46(4):330-336. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000001073. Epub 2025 Sep 11. PMID: 40928346; PMCID: PMC12704910.
- Prahlow TJ, Prahlow JA. Medical school homeopathy elective. Am Homeopath 2025;31:60-62.
- Yu G, Prahlow JA. Death due to positional asphyxia related to underlying seizure disorder. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2025 Sep;21(3):1526-1530. doi: 10.1007/s12024-025-00973-1. Epub 2025 Mar 7. PMID: 40053201.
- Prahlow JA. Deaths Related to New-Onset Seizures After Vaccination. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2024 Nov 24;15(1):11-27. doi: 10.1177/19253621241297029. PMID: 39600629; PMCID: PMC11586932.
- Prahlow SP, Morgan L, Prahlow JA. Gunshot Residue Deposition With and Without Firearm Suppressors (Silencers). Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2025 Jun 1;46(2):96-105. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000990. Epub 2024 Oct 15. PMID: 39442019.
- Prahlow JA, Brown T. "COVID-Collateral" Deaths. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2024 Oct 17;14(4):123-134. doi: 10.1177/19253621241292103. PMID: 39539481; PMCID: PMC11552037.
- Boulnemour K, Prahlow JA. Arc-like curvilinear bullet pathways along inner surface of skull - two cases. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2025 Jun;21(2):807-812. doi: 10.1007/s12024-024-00901-9. Epub 2024 Oct 7. PMID: 39373952.
- Tse J, Gongolli J, Prahlow JA. Hereditary thrombophilia as a possible risk factor for severe disease in COVID-19: A case series. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2025 Mar;21(1):260-266. doi: 10.1007/s12024-024-00879-4. Epub 2024 Sep 27. PMID: 39331315.
- Prahlow JA, Castor M, Jones P. Insulin-Related Suicides — 3 Cases. Acad Forensic Pathol. 2024 Aug 28;14(4):146-155. doi: 10.1177/19253621241272228. PMID: 39534452; PMCID: PMC11552034.
Honors and Awards
- Stanford University/Elsevier’s Top 2% Scientist Rankings (2023)
- Excellence in Homeopathy Award, “Homeopathic Medicine for the 21st Century: What Does Homeopathy Offer Our Modern Ailing World?” - Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicine (2023)
- Outstanding Clinical Science Educator - Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Class of (2023, 2021)
- Excellence in Discovery Award for Highest Departmental Funding - Western Michigan University (2017)
- National Association of Medical Examiners STAR Award (2014)
- Outstanding Basic Science Professor - Indiana University School of Medicine, Classes of 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
- Trustee Teaching Award - Indiana University School of Medicine, Classes of 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008,
- Physician of the Year - Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend (2013)
- Milton Helpern Award - American Academy of Forensic Sciences Pathology Biology Section (2013)
- Outstanding Service Award - National Association of Medical Examiners (2006)
- Outstanding Basic Science Instructor - Indiana University School of Medicine, Class of 2005, 2004
- President's Award - National Association of Medical Examiners 35th Annual Meeting (2002)
Professional Organizations and Associations
- College of American Pathologists
- American Society for Clinical Pathology
- National Association of Medical Examiners
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences
- American Institute of Homeopathy
Community Work and Service
- Volunteer - Homeless Ministry, ARISE Church, Fenton, Missouri
- Volunteer - Youth Group Leader, Berrien Center Bible Church, Berrien Center, Michigan