Interim Chief Medical Examiner
Dr. W. Ashton Ennis
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Dr. W. Ashton Ennis his career as a forensic pathologist at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office of the in 2012. He has performed over 5,000 postmortem examinations during a career spanning 15 years. Dr. Ennis had previously served as Pathologist and Education Director at the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner for 5 years. He was appointed Interim Chief Medical Examiner in September 2026.
Dr. Ennis became interested in Forensic Science during residency at Allegheny General Hospital, where he rotated through the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office under the tutelage of then Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Karl Williams. As a young physician, he fell in love with the office as well as the practice of Forensic Pathology, forever changing the trajectory of his career. As Interim Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Ennis has oversight of forensic pathologists, and multiple accredited departments including Investigations, Morgue Operations, and Crime Laboratories of Allegheny County.
Dr. Ennis is board certified by the American Board of Pathology in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and forensic pathology. He actively participates in educational programs for state and local professionals involved in death investigation.
Since meeting his wife, a Pittsburgh native, Dr. Ennis has lived in the area off and on for 15 years. He enjoys the excellent restaurants in the area and traveling, including hiking and road trips with his teenage son.