Michael M. Baden
Auteur van Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner
Over de Auteur
Fotografie: American Institute of Forensic Education
Werken van Michael M. Baden
Tagged
Algemene kennis
- Geboortedatum
- 1934
- Geslacht
- male
- Nationaliteit
- USA
- Beroepen
- medical examiner
Leden
Besprekingen
Misschien vindt je deze ook leuk
Statistieken
- Werken
- 2
- Leden
- 318
- Populariteit
- #74,348
- Waardering
- 3.6
- Besprekingen
- 6
- ISBNs
- 5
The two major flaws of this book are length and audience. At approximately 250 pages for a narrative that covers Kennedy, Belushi, Marilyn Monroe, three serial killers, a prison riot, Baden's sundry employment history and several other chapters, each section can only be granted 2-3 pages, which really undermines the richness of the narrative. In terms of Dr. Baden's intended audience, it is simply unclear. He states in his conclusions that one of his intentions is to encourage more medical students to enter the field; however, as a senior medical student, I was untouched by his accounts. The clinical discussion did not occur at a high enough scientific level to intrigue me. At the other extreme, I am doubtful of how interesting this book would be to a purely lay audience -- there are several pages dedicated to the politics of the office of medical examiner, untold descriptions of hyoid bone fractures and petechiae and vitreous fluid, much of which with little explanation. A third drawback is that Unnatural Death is beginning to show its age -- Baden's discussion of the pathophysiology of cirrhosis is outdated and his account of how to prevent SIDS makes no mention of sleeping position, which is now the standard of care.
Nevertheless, Unnatural Death is a quick read and a rare first hand account of the myriad of roles taken on by a medical examiner, from autopsy to crime scene investigation to courtroom. If you can overcome the awkward pacing and uncanny valley between medical text and popular science book, it is certainly worth a read.… (meer)