Dead Reckoning: The New Science of Catching Killers

Rating:
Summary: Read How Dead Men Tell Tales
Review: "The new tools of forensic science are only as incisive as those who use them, which is why forensic pathology is in many ways as much an art as a science." Dr. Michael Baden was chief forensic pathologist for the investigation by the Congressional Select Committee on Assassinations into the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Herb MacDonnell teaches a course on bloodstain evidence. He wields a hatchet, casting off drops of blood in the direction of his thrust and backswing (p.37). He is the world's leading authority on blood pattern analysis. He tells his students to save their homework for future reference. They didn't read about it in a book, this is firsthand knowledge (p.56).

Page 62 tells the story of a couple who went wandering into the woods; the girlfriend never returned. When a hand was found, the boyfriend was indicted and tried for murder. Fortunately for him, she showed up at the trial with both hands intact!

Some people are born with large arteries, which gives an advantage in longevity over people with narrow ones. This does not correlate with physical height (p.107). There is no study to see if this size is hereditary, or is the result of chance.

Since 90% of what we eat moves out of the stomach in 2 to 3 hours, time of death is estimated from the last meal (p.109).

After the Nicole Brown Simpson - Ron Goldman murders were discovered the medical examiner wasn't notified until ten hours later. By then critical evidence had vanished forever. Pages 150-153 discuss this topic. The low-velocity blood droplets on Nicole's back could have come from the killer, but were lost. A medical examiner doesn't know what he is looking for until he finds it.

Certain bugs can tell us when and where someone was killed, and they do it with an accuracy that no man-made system will ever reproduce (p.162). Traffic deaths in NY resulting from people swatting at bees in their cars will disappear in winter and reappear in summer (p.163).

Since the late 18th century when Paul Revere identified the body of Dr. Joseph Warren (killed on Bunker Hill), teeth have been used to identify bodies (p.212). Dental insurance has generated millions of X-rays and a database of identification for forensic odontologists. Pages 220-225 tell how faces are recreated from skulls, a technique that originated in 1960s Russia.

English police are compiling the largest computer database of ear prints, and plan to use them like fingerprints in identification. This is a modernization of the Bertillon System, which measured specific parts of the body (p.224). Lip prints are also unique to each individual.

Chapter Ten discusses the obverse side of this science. What if the forensic scientist cheats and lies about the evidence? Fingerprints can be created, a glove and blood evidence planted, etc. This shows the need for an assigned forensic scientist, like a Public Defender, for the indicted. Or an independent crime lab that can be trusted by both Prosecution and Defense. "Man prefers to believe what he wants to be true" said Francis Bacon. "Emotion in numerous, often imperceptible ways pervades and infects our understanding" (p.231). Forensic scientists, as humans, can be motivated by greed, stress, naivete, ambition, fear, money, or just following orders ("a team player"). Dr. Baden recommends using medical examiners in all counties of all states, who should all be forensic pathologists (p.235). This sounds true, but what if the low bidder chosen is like Fred Zain or Ralph Erdmann? All rules do not ensure equal results. Bad science can contaminate evidence by creating an assumption of guilt. The real perpetrator will escape, and prosecution will claim the accused was "let off on a technicality"! As Randall Dale Adams, who spent twelve years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. "Forensic Animation" is used to recreate an event for viewing by a jury; but it is only as reliable as its assumptions. It can be manipulated as easily as any other evidence (p.246).

A 1996 DOJ report said DNA evidence excluded 25% of those charged in rape and rape-and-murder cases! And other crimes do not involce DNA evidence. Prosecutors conceal evidence of innocence, or present knowingly false evidence, in many cases.

This is a very readable and educational book. The first sentence of the second paragraph on p.167 has a misspelled word.

Rating:
Summary: Awful writing!
Review: Excellent book if you're interested at all in forensic pathology. Written by someone who has done hundreds if not thousands of autopsies, this book gives a first-hand account of several interesting cases.

You'll learn about "bug school," where students are taught how to determine the time of death by examining the types of bugs that invest the corpse. You'll learn about "blood school," where students are taught to reconstruct a crime scene by looking at blood patterns.

These are just a couple of examples of the topics in the book. It's not written like a textbook, though--it's very readable and kept my attention well.

Rating:
Summary: If you love a good book, You will love this one!
Review: Fasten your seatbelts. Get ready for the exciting trip into the world of a medical examiner, who is known for having a part in the investigation of some of the country's most recent and most publicized criminal cases. There is nothing better than reading an excellent book, capable of sending chills down your spine. In this informational, attention-grabbing paper-back, Dr. Michael Baden walks us science lovers through various crime scenes and popular crime cases, throwing us readers into a frenzy as we try to speculate the truth. With the help of Baden's colleagues, this book gives an amazingly interesting insight into crime scene investigation and "the new science of catching killers".

As part of our human nature, there is some part of us that finds the death of a human somewhat intriguing. Especially me, a freshman in college, hoping to one day become a forensic pathologist myself, the readers' mind is almost over stimulated with the cracking open of this piece of work. I could barely wait to turn the page to absorb the interesting facts reiterating the importance of blood stain patterns and even bugs to the determination of time of death or even the solving of a crime case.

I must admit, this grisly text is almost guaranteed to churn the stomachs of the weak and frighten away even the average medically-curious individual. Dr. Baden seamlessly depicts images of corpses and their appearance after the decomposition process has begun. He is not ashamed to throw at you the monstrous illustration of a single head apart from its being.

Even for those readers that have no prior interest in forensics, this book is capable of quickly persuading the minds of the vulnerable. Things that one may have once found horrid and gruesome may now be the motivation to read on. This book is an open door that provides the reader an enormous opportunity to explore a completely new world in medicine.

For those that are even slightly intrigued by the disgusting but amazingly tempting tone of this book, it is a must-read. But beware; the journey might be a rough one. Be sure you are wearing your seatbelts.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT INFORMATION
Review: For anyone considering the field of forensic pathology, or if you're just curious, this book is thorough and detailed, while maintaining a fast pace. Baden and Roach don't underestimate the intelligence of the layreader, but also don't get bogged down in medical-speak. Although Baden sometimes seems to lose focus from topic to topic, his digressions are always fascinating and educational.

Rating:
Summary: Run of the Mill
Review: I enjoyed this book, as I find the subject matter fascinating. However, the book does have quite a few technical details that would be more useful in a textbook instead of a lay-persons book. Regardless, if you enjoy books of this nature, you will no doubt find this a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Gruesome but informative
Review: Like sex and psychology, we all know something about death. As a forensic pathologist, Baden is an expert. He shares his expertise and fascination with cause and mode of death in this enthralling book. As a frequent expert-witness in his field, Baden has mastered the art of expressing his science in easy-to-understand terms, without patronising the reader. His passion for his subject spills onto the page like so many bodily fluids seeping inextricably into the text.

Our authors revel in the gruesome and grotesque subspecialties of forensic pathology. The reader is invited to the Blood School where practising crime investigators go to learn about the ballistics of blood splatter. The course includes esoteric experiments where participants find themselves blowing mouthfuls of blood at each other to demonstrate what evidence may result. The squeamish among you may have your stomachs turned by a weekend trip to a leading forensic entomologist's ranch, where pigs are slaughtered and then, later, are re-examined for evidence of insect activity: this science helps to estimate the time since death of a corpse. As a source of many clues, heads warrant a chapter of their very own: the skull may be subject to facial reconstruction; dental histories can lead to identification of the deceased; DNA and evidence of drug use or poisoning can be extracted from hairs from the scalp.

All of these stories are told with zeal, but also with an underlying gravity. Our authors take the scientific processes of collecting and preserving evidence seriously - experience tells them that any evidence may turn out to be essential in the examination an unnatural death. Vitally, it is truth that the investigator seeks here - regardless whether he has been employed by the prosecution or defence for a case.

Baden and Roach take a potentially interesting subject and make it fascinating - and highly readable. The breadth of fields studied in the search of truth, and subsequently justice, is broad and continues to evolve. I wonder what form evidence will be found in next? Baden and Roach are surely qualified to tell us.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Great
Review: Marion Roach and Michael Baden take you into the autopsy room and lives of a foensic pathologist, while teaching and educating
readers the fascinating (and gruesome) aspects of forensic medicine. The book is a fascinating mix of humor, philosophy, history and science, ending in an odd, but appropriate chapter on the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of pathologists, criminalists and scientists at a convention in love with a craft the public finds both gruesome and fascinating. Their writing collaboration brings out the best of Roach and Baden in a surprising well written, and sometimes poetic, passionate recount of forensic cases carefully chosen to illustrate the science. Several chapters were dedicated around top experts in the fields of entymology and blood spatter evidence literally taking the reader to school under the tutelage of some entertaiining teachers
True crime buffs and pathology groupies will not find the
material old hat-and novices to this growing area of literature
will feel the passion and philosophy of the doctor who 'listens'
to the dead to help learn what happened during their life,and
more particularly how they came to their end.
Along the way ,you'll learn the personal history of both both Baden and his good friend, the legendary henry lee. Their stories as to how these legends arrived who and where they are
today makes great reading.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has any interest at all in forensic pathology and the lives of those whom the
science and search for the truth about the dead is their passion---with one caveat for the faint of heart--- be aware
of maggots . . .

Rating:
Summary: Pathological Humor
Review: People contrive some very peculiar ways to die, and Dr. Baden, who was once the chief medical examiner of New York City seems to have seen or heard of them all.

For instance, there was the airline pilot who stripped down and chained himself to a moving--well, I don't want to spoil the story for you. But if you have a mordant sense of humor, try attending a convention of pathologists and forensic scientists--especially if Dr. Baden is scheduled to speak. They usually meet near Reno and book Wayne Newton in to entertain them.

(I don't know why medical examiners are so endeared with Wayne Newton. This might be one of those deep philosophical conundrums that ordinary mortals should not speculate upon lest they go blind).

Did you know that it is possible to special-order a pair of diamond-studded handcuffs?

This is just one of the fascinating tidbits that Dr. Baden and Marion Roach share with us in "Dead Reckoning." This book is more of an overview of modern forensic pathology than was their previous volume, "Unnatural Death," which was primarily a series of Dr. Baden's criminal cases. In "Dead Reckoning" we are introduced to other famous (in their own circle, at least) forensic scientists such as the bug man, Dr. Neal Haskell (his specialty is my least favorite part of crime solving) and Dr. Henry Lee, the American 'Sherlock Holmes' whose Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory was involved in the infamous 'wood chipper' case (there was a very thorough murderer, indeed).

The authors also illuminate criminal cases where Dr. Baden had no direct involvement, such as the O.J. Simpson murder trial. It was shocking to learn how badly the crime scene was handled in this particular case.

"Dead Reckoning" is a must-read for true crime buffs. It also helps to have a peculiar sense of humor.

Rating:
Summary: Stunning information, entertainingly delivered!
Review: This is what you get when you mix a brilliant and principled scientist with a passionately curious and witty writer. Dr. Baden and Ms. Roach educate and entertain the reader, yet never let you forget that these are the stories of real people, victims and their families who deserve justice. How science can serve up justice in many new and old cases and why it has failed, or been prevented from doing so in others, makes for some very good story-telling. I was fascinated to learn about "Blood School" in Corning, New York and the eccentric, fun-loving forensic entomologist who teaches the relationship between corpses and bugs on his farm in Indiana. There is new information on the Nicole Brown/Ronald Goldman and the Jon Benet Ramsey murder cases, as well as details about Princess Diana's death, but the writing is never exploitive or sensational, just an honest review of mistakes made and lessons learned. Anyone whose work brings them this close to deep and devastating tragedy on a daily basis could be forgiven if they exhibited a "scientific detachment" or even a degree of dark humor about the work. I was however impressed throughout with what I would describe as Dr. Baden's "scientific attachment" and non-waivering respect in handling and describing the remains of victims. There is welcome dark comic relief mixed into Ms. Roach's descriptions of the aformentioned Blood School, Bug School and the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in Reno, Nevada which will let you in on a secret passion of Wayne Newton's that I promise will surprise and amuse. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, was educated by it and comforted by the dedication to justice of the authors and their colleagues in this fascinating profession.