NCJ Number
45958
Date Published
1977
Length
285 pages
Annotation
CASES WHERE AUTOPSY RESULTED IN THE EVENTUAL ARREST OF THE PERSON ORIGINALLY CHARGED WITH MURDER, AND OTHERS WHERE THE AUTOPSY HAD ACTUALLY LED DETECTIVES TO ARREST THE WRONG PERSON ARE AMONG THOSE RECALLED.
Abstract
THIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY DESCRIBES SEVERAL FAMOUS MURDERS IN NEW YORK CITY, AND PROVIDES A GLIMPSE OF THE PROCESS USED BY FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS TO UNRAVEL SUCH QUESTIONS AS TIME AND CAUSE OF DEATH, IDENTIFICATION OF THE VICTIM, AND SIMILAR CHALLENGES. CASES IN WHICH DRUGS COMPLICATED THE FINDINGS ARE RECOUNTED. THE TENSIONS OF GIVING EXPERT TESTIMONY DURING A TRIAL ARE RECOUNTED IN SEVERAL OF THE REMINISCENCES. THE NEED TO BE SUSPICIOUS IN ACCIDENTAL DEATHS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMON SENSE AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE THE KEY POINTS OF SEVERAL STORIES. THE BOOK ALSO TRACES THE HISTORY OF MEDICAL LAW AND THE CORONER SYSTEM FROM THE TIME OF THE NORMAN CONQUEST UP TO 1977. THE FORENSIC TECHNIQUES USED ARE DESCRIBED THROUGHOUT. THIS COLLECTION OF STORIES GIVES A ROUNDED PICTURE OF THE WORK OF THE CORONER IN A LARGE CITY. SOME OF THE CASES EXAMINED INCLUDE THE COPPOLINO MURDERS, WHICH REQUIRED THE AID OF EXPERTS AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY TO DEVISE A TEST TO CONFIRM THE PRESENCE OF SUCCINYLCHOLINE IN CADAVER TISSUE; THE CRIMMINS MURDERS, IN WHICH THE STOMACH CONTENTS OF THE 4-YEAR-OLD VICTIM CONVICTED THE MOTHER; AND THE PETER REILLY MURDER CASE, IN WHICH LACK OF BLOODSTAINS ON PERSON AND CLOTHING AND OTHER EVIDENCE RULED HIM INNOCENT IN A RETRIAL. THE FINAL CHAPTER DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF NEGATIVE FINDINGS AND EXHORTS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER TO BE AS CAREFUL ON ROUTINE CASES AS ON THOSE OF CLEARLY SUSPICIOUS ORIGIN. (GLR)