Erin Brooks, MD

Erin Brooks, MD, is a UW Health forensic pathologist. She is also a professor and Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Dr. Brooks specializes in performing autopsies — medically examining bodies after death. Her goal is to establish the exact cause and nature of a person’s death, especially if it is unexpected.

Dr. Brooks has advanced forensic medicine expertise. This field of medicine focuses on answering clinical questions that arise when the cause of death is complex or unclear. In some instances, deaths occur when there are no obvious symptoms or warning signs.

Dr. Brooks is drawn to the problem-solving challenges of forensic pathology. During autopsies, she applies her specialization in infectious disease epidemiology — the study of how contagious diseases occur and spread. Dr. Brooks also enjoys educating others about disease pathophysiology. This area of medicine involves understanding abnormal processes that may cause or are associated with a disease or injury.

In her free time, Dr. Brooks enjoys gardening, appreciating nature and hiking.

I believe that by improving our understanding of how and why individuals die we are better able to help others live.