Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner
by Michael M. Baden
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Book Summary Information
Author: Michael M. BadenEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1990-03-28
ISBN: 0804105995
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Reviews of Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner
Book Review: You've got to be kidding
Summary: 1 Stars
I've been a fan of Michael Baden ever since watching my first HBO special. I've seen several of them. I decided to buy a book by Baden even though I don't read many books. I knew he was involved with the HSCA investigation of Kennedy, which comprises over 90% of the books I have read, and was aware of his conclusions at the time. I would have figured by 1989 he would have somewhat changed his tune. He hadn't and as far as I know still hasn't. Any respect I had for this man as an expert in the field is now tainted by what I read in the beginning of this book. Dr. Baden makes several statements that when not cross-examined seem compelling but are if fact grossly mis-representative or unbelievable false. I can't believe someone of his caliber would stoop as low as he did. He provides his "opinion" but not the cross-examination that his opinion warrants. If he did then he would have to explain himself and based on SEVERAL comments he made it is simply not possible. Someone of his esteem should have been decent enough to make an attempt to examine both sides. An example would be his opinion that the reason Kennedy was thrown back and to the left was because the car accelerated at that precise moment. What a joke! Can you explain Dr. Baden why NONE of the other occupants of the car were not forced back and to the left as well. Based on the way Jackie was sitting she would have been thrown around more than her husband, but that didn't happen. Further explain why the head was thrown back and to the left with much greater force than the rest of the body. The video evidence clearly shows that the head was thrown back first, and with greater force, with the body following simply because it was attached. This is not speculation based on faulty evidence which Mr. Baden gives. This is fact based on hard and fast evidence that anyone viewing the Zapruder film can see. Unfortunately when someone with an ego such as Baden's he has to maintain his ridiculous opinion. The Kennedy assassination is fascinating in that it is really the only event where conspiracy can be proved by watching a very short film. Any hunter or marksman, not to mention scientist, will tell you when you shoot something the force of the projectile will propel that something in the same direction the projectile is traveling. It is that simple. Scientifically as well as logically what you see on the Zapruder film cleary shows the direction the bullet that killed the president was traveling. You can dispute that all you want but run a million tests and 1 million times the results will all be the same. Oh yeah Dr. Baden also contradicts himself by vehemently stating that bullets simply don't fall out of a wound. Then later he speculates that in fact that very thing did happen. Did he bother to proof read what he wrote?
Summary of Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner
* JFK's autopsy failed to disclose crucial evidence.* The deaths of John Belushi and Elvis Presley were far more complex than anyone has let on.
* Decisive medical findings in the von Bulow affair were consistently overlooked.
These are but three of the shocking revelations in Dr. Michael Baden's first-person, no-holds-barred account of his distinguished career in forensic pathology. In determining the causes of tens of thousands of deaths, from those of presidents and rock stars to victims of serial killings, exotic sex rituals, mass disasters, child abuse and drug abuse, Baden has come to the unavoidable conclusion that the search for scientific truth is often sullied by the pressures of expediency. He produces dramatic evidence to demonstrate that political intrigue, influence peddling, and professional incompetence have created a national crisis in forensic medicine.
"A fascinating look into the mechanics of forensics and a disconcerting lesson in the politics of death." -- The New York Times Book Review
Forensic pathologist Michael Baden was a medical examiner in New York City for more than 25 years. Now he works for the New York State Police and teaches forensic medicine. This engrossing book covers: (1) several famous cases, including Baden's personal re-examination of the autopsy findings for Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy; (2) unusual cases Baden had as medical examiner for NYC, such as an autopsy on a dining room table at the Plaza Hotel; (3) how medical examiners decide on means of death, with a section on poisons; (4) the history of coroners and medical examiners since 12th century England; (5) disturbing politics involved in the office of the Chief Medical Examiner of NYC; (6) identification of the dead; (7) time of death; (8) multiple-murder cases; (9) an almost perfect murder; (10) close calls, including near deaths during sex; (11) cases of mistaken diagnosis; and (12) autopsy findings that shed light on what happened in the Attica uprising.
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