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Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner
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Customer Reviews
Rating:  - Two thumbs up.
The book doesn't just talk about dead bodies - it talks about the circumstances surrounding dead bodies and gives us a better understanding of what really happened. The book explains things in layman terms to the average reader, making it easy to comprehend and follow. I found the book to be thorough and matter-of-fact.
The book points out different M.E. customs, especially in different countries, which explains how the actual cause of death can be misdiagnosed. In addition to this, there are strong political factors that influence what M.E.s write as the official cause of death because people don't want to hear that a loved one committed suicide. Murder is somehow more glamourous, especially if it's a celebrity that really died of a drug overdose.
The book explains the three ways to determine the cause of death although it's not an exact science since there are factors that can influence the situation such as temperature and location of the body. There are certain features to look for in an autospy since specific drugs only remain for a short time and are easily overlooked. The eyes retain fluids which can be a tell-tale sign of certain presences in the body. There is so much information in this book that it's almost impossible to put it down.
The most appalling thing is not what's found in the dead bodies, but the political pressures, the various professional incompetences, and gross abuse of justice that occurs in the judical system. You should read about how one doctor tested his theory on dead babies without the parents' knowledge. Unbelieveable.
Rating: - If only every book was this good!
I have waded through my fair share (or unfair share) of thick books that have barely enough in them to fill a thin book. Haven't we all? Well, here is a book that packs so much into its 215 pages that it drips like a saturated sponge. Two words . . . READ IT! And I assure you, once will not be enough. This is not only a great read for any true crime fan, it is a valuable reference tool that you will go back to time and time again. How long does it take for rigor mortis to set in and how long do the effects last? How can time of death be determined by examining a victim's stomach contents? How can an infant death by suffocation be distinguish from SIDS? You will know all this and much, much more by the time you get to page 215. To say more would be to spoil the fun you will have diving into these engrossing pages. Thank you, Dr. Baden!
Rating: - This book either is deliberate disinformation or careless.
Because I'm one of the people mentioned in this book, I can testify to its inaccuracies -- at least in the chapter about my husband Major Hugh Fanning, USMC and myself. The misspelling of my name is the least of my complaints. Not a single bit of information given is true. The book is a waste of money, in my opinion, because if the info on us is fraudulent, how can I trust the rest of it?
Rating:  - can you say egomaniac?
all kidding aside, "Unnatural Death" was merely a forum for the author to air his opinions about others in the same field as well as try to exonerate himself from accusations he feels were made without just cause. the cases he chose to profile weren't that interesting & seemed to contain tidbits I didn't need yet lacked information I was hoping to glean. The writer seems to do a lot better a reporting the straight facts - how to ascertain time of death, blood pooling, blood colors, etc. rather than conveying his own experiences. I found "Dead Men Do Tell Tales" by William R. Maples to be a more interesting read with historical cases (the Romanov's of Russia, a dead president & a Spanish conquistador) plus Dr. Maples' personality doesn't get in the way of his storytelling.
Rating: - Completely Compelling,.. I COULD NOT put it down!
As a member of the funeral profession, I have an interest in causes of death, (both natural and un-natural), and this book is extremely insightful. A definite must read for anyone in the business of death and dying. Scientific enough to be useful,... but not a boring text book !
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