As elected coroners came to be replaced by medical examiners with
scientific training, the American public became fascinated with their
work. From the grisly investigations showcased on highly rated
television shows like C.S.I. to the bestselling mysteries that revolve
around forensic science, medical examiners have never been so
visible—or compelling. They, and they alone, solve the riddle of
suspicious death and the existential questions that come with it. Why
did someone die? Could it have been prevented? Should someone be held
accountable? What are the implications of ruling a death a suicide, a
homicide, or an accident? Can medical examiners unmask the perfect
crime? Postmortem goes deep inside the world of medical examiners to
uncover the intricate web of pathological, social, legal, and moral
issues in which they operate. Stefan Timmermans spent years in a
medical examiner’s office, following cases, interviewing examiners,
and watching autopsies. While he relates fascinating cases here, he is
also more broadly interested in the cultural authority and
responsibilities that come with being a medical examiner. Although
these professionals attempt to remain objective, medical examiners are
nonetheless responsible for evaluating subtle human intentions.
Consequently, they may end—or start—criminal investigations, issue
public health alerts, and even cause financial gain or harm to
survivors. How medical examiners speak to the living on behalf of the
dead, is Timmermans’s subject, revealed here in the day-to-day lives
of the examiners themselves.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780226804002
Publisert
2016
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
University of Chicago Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter