detroit'sdailydocket

The devil is in the details.

Invigorated by thrilling television shows such as How to Get Away with Murder and Dexter, some people believe they can concoct the perfect plan to conceal a murder.  Throughout this season, we've asked our audience to send us their ideas of ways to hide a homicide. 

Listen as our doctors examine and evaluate the most popular submissions on the basis of plausibility, materials needed, ease or difficulty of execution, and the autopsy findings.  Find out why a thorough medicolegal death investigation makes it very difficult to get away with murder.

As a bonus, we invite Allison Arnold, a senior trial attorney with the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office, on the show.  She will help us better understand the corpus delicti rule, or "body of the crime", and how it pertains to prosecutions where no dead body can be examined.

It's better than a sharp stick in the eye.

On a very basic level, sharp force injuries are caused by weapons with at least one cutting edge, and the most commonly seen injuries are stab wounds and incised wounds.  What is the distinction between the two?  Do the injuries provide you with clues to the weapon that was used?  Listen to our doctors as they explore this area of forensic pathology.

In the second part of this episode, we introduce you to Dr. Patrick Hansma.  Dr. Hansma is no stranger to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office.   Follow along with us as we learn about drives him and his passions.  Dr. Hansma also speaks about his adventures in authorship with this first book, The Grave Below.

Autopsies dipped in gold.

Sit down with us as we have a chat with Dr. Sarah Avedschmidt.  She is a forensic pathologist in the Golden State of California who also spends time in our office as a locum tenens.  Hear about the fascinating journey she took in becoming a forensic pathologist.