Grave Secrets: Leading Forensic Expert Reveals Startling Truth Abt O J Simpson Vincent Foster D

by Mark Curriden, Cyril Wecht, Benjamin Wecht, et al.

Book Overview

In the foreword to this book, Michael (Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner) Baden, M.D. says that Cyril Wecht, M.D., J.D. ("no shrinking violet") has selected from his 35-year career "a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525939741
• ISBN13: 9780525939740
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Crime Scene Investigations

These chapters came from cases where his knowledge was crucial in exposing official mistakes of showing weaknesses by the prosecution. The accuracy and fairness of crime lab evidence are entirely dependent on proper identification, protection, and transfer of evidence from the crime scene. The Introduction explains how a seeming accident was found to be murder by analyzing the entrance wound and the position of the shotgun. Forensic pathology investigates sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths. 75% of all deaths are from natural causes, 75% of the rest are accidental. About 1.5% are suicides and homicides. Many of the most controversial cases on record have involved medical examiner systems, due to political influence (p.9).Chapter 1 deals with the Trial of OJ Simpson, and the evidence for guilt or innocence. One of the biggest mistakes was to not get a forensic pathologist to the scene immediately; important evidence was lost forever (p.34). Nicole's stomach contents were discarded; if empty, then 3 or more hours elapsed since her last meal. Page 43 tells of the high error rate in laboratory testing of blood and other specimens. Nicole's uncorroborated diary wrote of being followed to a "Payless shoe store". Would a fan of fashion and style ever go there? Page 49 says there is NO regulation on DNA testing, or of the astronomical percentage estimates. Page 59 tells that two weeks after the murders there was no blood on those socks; weeks later there was! Page 67 says no cuts were seen on OJ's hands on the flight to Chicago. Page 70 tells of Cochran's wearing that knitted cap; to me, it looked like a child's cap.Chapter 2 discusses the suicide of Vincent Foster, and how rumor mongers blew it up into a fantasy (p.81). Chapter 3 tells of his investigations into the aftermath of Waco. This was a tragedy that never should have occurred (p.100). Chapter 4 tells of a shoot-out in Cleveland; the coroner's staff was guilty of deliberate, willful, and clever deception (p.114). Chapter 5 tells of a shooting in Chicago where "this whole operation may have been nothing more than a political assassination" (p.131). The State Attorney and the police officers involved in the raid were charged, and found at fault (p.134). Chapter 6 deals with the 1989 Oakland earthquake. Many who died would be alive if state and local emergency management officials had done their jobs quickly and efficiently (p.142). The autopsy reports were done by the lowest bidder, and the reports had the lowest quality (p.146). Chapter 7 tells of the nightclub fire in 1977 Cincinnati. Many did not die of burns or smoke inhalation, but from invisible and odorless toxic fumes (p.162).Chapter 8 explains why a fall from a high building was homicide and not suicide or an accident. Chapter 9 investigated the mysterious death of a government opponent; it was an accident. Chapter 10 tells of the unexpected death of a government official; it was a natural death. Chapter 11 tells of the execution of a

An excellent book.

Far from being "fluff", Dr. Wecht's mind-ripping coverage of 14 topics ranging from "The Mysterious Death of Vincent Foster" to "The Nightclub With No Way Out" is fascinating and worth every minute to read. The book combines previously unsolved mysteries with medicolegal brilliance to make for reading that will not be set down until finished. Dr. Wecht intrigues the reader...(who would thought of a second Simpson killer?)...while weaving in information about the work of the forensic expert. A great book!