Pathologists?

Do all pathologists open up dead bodies/perform autopsies?
Answer:
no not all, in the lab i work they asked me to help on them in a sort of "hold this, hand me that" kind of way. but its more of a specialization thing, although im a bench tech and not quite a pathologist per se.

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No.
Physicians who practice pathology diagnose and characterize disease in living patients by examining biopsies and other specimens. For example, the vast majority of cancer diagnoses are made or confirmed by a pathologist. Pathologists may also conduct autopsies to investigate causes of death. The medical practice of pathology grew out the tradition of investigative pathology, and many of the academic leaders in pathology today are accomplished in both basic science research and diagnostic practice. However, as with other specialties in medicine, most modern physician-pathologists are employed in full-time practice, and do not perform original research.

Pathology is a unique medical specialty in that pathologists typically do not see patients directly, but rather serve as consultants to other physicians (often referred to as "clinicians" within the pathology community). However, in the United States and in many other countries, pathologists receive the same doctorate training, and undergo the same medical licensure process as other physicians. Pathology is a diverse field, and the organization of subspecialties within pathology vary between nations.

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That's one of the things they are trained to do, but some may have specialties in other areas, like processing laboratory tests, that don't require them to do autopsies.

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Not forever, but you will likely have to assist or perform a few during your residency training.

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