This week’s episode of Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series, is all about your questions on the science behind death investigation. Together, Sheryl McCollum and Dr. Priya Banerjee take on the topics that listeners are most curious about, from family rights and religious objections to what autopsies can and cannot reveal. They also dispel misconceptions about embalming, toxicology, and even what really happens at the funeral home. With clarity and respect, Dr. Priya and Sheryl break down the science, the law, and the realities behind the most-asked questions in forensic pathology.

 

Highlights

• (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya: A Zone 7 series—Sheryl and Dr. Priya open with a discussion of the Celeste Rivas case
• (6:45) The "CSI-effect": how media shapes public perception of forensic science, the risks of misinformation, and why caution is critical in cold case investigations
• (8:45) Can a forensic pathologist always determine the cause and time of death?
• (11:15) Can family members refuse an autopsy, and how do religious objections work?
• (17:00) Can any family member request a private autopsy, or must it be the legal next of kin?
• (19:00) Does an autopsy prevent an open-casket funeral?
• (21:15) Do funeral homes use newspapers or sawdust to fill body cavities?
• (23:15) Can an autopsy be performed after embalming, and how does that affect toxicology?
• (25:30) The role of funeral directors and double-checks before cremation, catching missed injuries and ensuring nothing is overlooked

 

 

About the Hosts

Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

 

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