Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of infectious disease, autopsy procedures, and workplace exposure. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you.

In the morgue, danger doesn’t end when the heart stops beating. In this second installment of Exposure, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts two life-threatening encounters with invisible hazards that linger within the morgue. From a chance exposure to meningococcal meningitis that turned a friendly chat into a medical emergency, to a tuberculosis case that nearly landed him on a delinquent-patient arrest list, Dr. Crowns reveals the real-world risks faced by medical examiners who work at the edge of science and safety. Part science lesson, part cautionary tale, this episode exposes the ongoing threat of infectious disease and the discipline required to work among it.

If you missed the first episode in this series, listen to Mayhem in the Morgue | Exposure (Part 1)

Highlights

• (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns

• (0:30) Recap of Exposure (Part 1) and an introduction to autopsy hazards

• (1:30) Case 1: Meningococcus: a deadly bacterium and a moment of exposure

• (3:45) The friend, the mask, and the realization that came too late

• (6:00) Preventive treatment and a lasting reminder to always wear PPE

• (6:45) Case 2: Tuberculosis: an ancient pathogen meets modern medicine

• (8:00) The resident-year autopsy that led to lifelong TB exposure

• (13:15) Public health protocols, medications, and unexpected consequences

• (21:00) A near-arrest for missing a medication pickup after his daughter's birth

About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns

Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology.

About the Show

Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations.

Connect and Learn More

Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Storieswith Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts.

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