General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHate To Bring It Up But I Hope The Sanford Medical Examiner Was On The Level In Doing The Autopsy
For some reason, I don't have much confidence in that.
Ian David
(69,059 posts)otohara
(24,135 posts)He talked about Trayvon's hands already - said they were pristine, no cuts, nada.
and he didn't do what you bet he said.
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)We have yet to hear from the coroner. Records are sealed.
But, the statement from the funeral director is damned interesting.
otohara
(24,135 posts)I thought he was a little laid back for a coroner.
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)He's a brave man, that's for sure.
russspeakeasy
(6,539 posts)lacrew
(283 posts)...they would use Seminole County's.
Solomon
(12,310 posts)or whether normal procedures were followed.
lacrew
(283 posts)The Chief is Marie A. Herrman
Raine
(30,540 posts)it would costly but worth it.
Solomon
(12,310 posts)since I learned he had already been buried. The Justice Dept. might want to exhume if there's evidence that the ME shouldn't be trusted.
vaberella
(24,634 posts)FarPoint
(12,309 posts)He either is or was the Medical Examiner for Allegheney County Pennsylvania and....
snip>
Cyril H. Wecht, M.D., J.D., is a forensic pathologist, attorney and medical-legal consultant.
Education
Dr. Wecht received his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and his law degree from the University of Maryland. Dr. Wecht is certified by the American Board of Pathology, in anatomic, clinical, and forensic Pathology, and is also a Fellow of the College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Clinical Pathologists
Nationally Acclaimed Forensic Expert
Being an expert in Forensic Medicine, Dr. Wecht has frequently appeared on several nationally syndicated programs discussing various medicolegal and forensic scientific issues, including medical malpractice, drug abuse, the assassinations of both President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the death of Elvis Presley, the O.J. Simpson case, and the JonBenet Ramsey cases. His expertise has also been utilized in high profile cases involving Mary Jo Kopechne, Sunny von Bulow, Jean Harris, Dr. Jeffrey McDonald, the Waco Branch Davidian fire, and Vincent Foster. A comprehensive study of these cases are discussed from the perspective of Dr. Wecht's own professional involvement in his books, Cause of Death, Grave Secrets, and Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey.
end>
Solomon
(12,310 posts)He's one of the best.
FarPoint
(12,309 posts)and a fine Democrat. He in my mind is a founding father of forensics.
appleannie1
(5,066 posts)have forensic coroners and smaller towns use morticians.
mainer
(12,022 posts)An autopsy would only be conducted by a pathologist -- an M.D. Let's hope it was a thorough one.
vaberella
(24,634 posts)HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)Oilwellian
(12,647 posts)I found this quite interesting:
Traumatic or suspicious deaths
Forensic investigators serve as the first line of contact for any person reporting a death or requesting transport of a body from a traumatic death scene. The investigator on call may respond to a traumatic death scene in which the body has not been moved to the hospital including drug-overdose cases and traffic fatalities. The primary purpose for scene response will be to gather information, obtain photos for review by the pathologist prior to autopsy, and assist with coordination of schedules for body transport and autopsy. If the scene involves a homicide, infant or suspicious death, the pathologist on call also may respond. The investigating officer should remember that postmortem changes occur with time and may prefer to notify the forensic investigator in an expeditious manner to assist in a timely assessment of the body:
" It is the duty of the law enforcement officer assigned to and investigating the death to immediately establish and maintain liaison with the medical examiner during the investigation into the cause of death." (s. 406.14, Florida Statutes, emphasis added)
A. The following information is necessary at the time of the call to this office when requesting investigator response to the scene in traumatic or suspicious deaths:
circumstances as to the type of death being reported, i.e., apparent suicide, apparent homicide, traffic fatality, apparent overdose, etc.; and
location of the scene.
B. The following information is necessary at the time of the call to this office when requesting transport of the deceased in traumatic or suspicious deaths when the body has been moved to a hospital or is otherwise no longer at the scene:
complete name of deceased;
date of birth;
race and sex;
home address of deceased;
Social Security number;
next of kin's name and phone number;
funeral home handling the body;
pronouncement of death time and name of person pronouncing;
circumstances surrounding the death and the finding of the deceased as to persons, times, locations, what actions the deceased was performing at the time, etc.;
any noticeable injuries on the deceased;
medications (by name and date prescribed) found at the residence of the deceased (collect and send these medications with the body only when requested!);
name of the officer making (or attempting to make) notification of next of kin;
date, time and name of next of kin who was advised that the case is being investigated by the medical examiner (not just that the death occurred!);
date of last doctor's visit (if any) and all available medical history obtained from family members, neighbors and friends; and
anything of an unusual nature that could raise the possibility of foul play.
C. In the event of a death of an unknown person or one that may result in criminal charges being filed, i.e., DUI auto accident, child abuse or homicide, legal identification has been deemed necessary by the state attorney.
"It is the duty of the law enforcement officer assigned to and investigating the death to immediately establish the identity of the body." (s. 406.145, Florida Statutes).
D. If done visually, two non-related friends who have known the deceased for at least two years should make the identification to a law enforcement official who is handling the death investigation. Exceptions to this visual procedure generally require coordination with the forensic investigator assigned. If visual identification fails, fingerprints, dental X-rays or body X-rays can be used to establish identity when compared to known records of the individual obtained by law enforcement.
E. Obvious or suspected cases of homicide must be handled according to each law enforcement agency's departmental procedures. In such cases the deceased and/or any items on or around the deceased should not be touched or moved until a decision has been made by this office as to whether or not a doctor and investigator will respond to the scene. (s.406.12 Florida Statutes)
http://volusia.org/medicalexaminer/lawduties.htm/div]
Solomon
(12,310 posts)grasswire
(50,130 posts)That ME carried body parts around in his vehicle, as I recall. And had a record IIRC.
And the autopsy was really screwed up.
An ME is often a FIXER. A flawed or tainted doc who gets hired to FIX the cases that need fixing.