From Crime Scene to Courtroom: Examining the Mysteries Behind Famous Cases

by Cyril H. Wecht, Dawna Kaufmann, Geraldo Rivera (Foreword)

In this engrossing, cinematic page-turner, famed forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht and veteran true-crime journalist Dawna Kaufmann team up to offer never-before-published information on the mysterious deaths of Michael Jackson and Caylee Anthony, plus five other ripped-from-the-headlines criminal cases. Based on their long investigative experience, these two insiders offer revealing insights into the following high-profile cases:• Michael Jackson— The authors provide never-disclosed data on the three autopsies of Jackson's body, and they deconstruct when and why the singer became addicted, including his bizarre medico-legal background.• Casey Anthony— After being acquitted in the death of her daughter, Anthony is considered the most hated woman in America. The authors have inside experience with the Anthony case. They raise issues concerning the accuracy of evidence such as air sampling, post-mortem hair banding, tape and plastic bag identification, when exactly the little girl's body was dumped, computer clues, and more.• Drew Peterson— Heroic Illinois SWAT team cop or wife killer? This chapter brings all of the compelling facts to the fore, including the autopsy results of spouse-number-three Kathleen, her outreach to others while still alive, Drew's cell phone activity, and how a savvy police officer may have used his training to taint the investigation.• Rolling Stone Brian Jones— The investigators reconsider the case to determine whether the rock musician’s death was really an accident or something more sinister.In addition, Wecht and Kaufmann examine the rape-murder of 12-year-old Gabrielle Bechen, whose brutal death shook her community; Col. Philip Shue, whose demise was a battle of suicide versus homicide until Wecht solved the case; and Carol Ann Gotbaum (How did this wealthy, beautiful young mother die in police custody?). From crime scene to morgue to courtroom, and finally the court of public opinion, this book is a must for true-crime readers.Cyril H. Wecht, MD, JD (Pittsburgh, PA), one of the world's leading pathologists, is the author of A Question of Murder, Tales from the Morgue, Mortal Evidence, Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?, Grave Secrets, Cause of Death, and hundreds of professional publications. He has served as president of both the American College of Legal Medicine and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and has appeared on numerous nationally syndicated television programs, including Dateline NBC, Larry King Live, 20/20, On the Record With Greta Van Susteren, Geraldo At Large, Burden of Proof, and many others.Dawna Kaufmann (Los Angeles, CA) is an accomplished true crime journalist whose work has been heralded by law enforcement and the media. The coauthor with Dr. Wecht of A Question of Murder, she has covered hundreds of high-profile homicide and missing person cases for national publications, including the National Enquirer, Star, and Globe, and her writing has also appeared in Cosmopolitan, the Los Angeles Times, and countless other publications. In addition, she is an award-winning producer and writer, with a multitude of credits in television, including late-night comedy programming and prime-time network variety series.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Science, Medical

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Linda Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Wecht has always been one of my idols. I very much wanted to be a forensic pathologist but unfortunately life lead me in a different direction. It's always good to read anything by him (or Dr Baden) because you know you are getting facts and not fluff. He won't sugarcoat anything and will tell it like it is. Take it or leave it. He's not there to make your life better. He's there to provide you with the truth of his findings.

The amount of reviews saying that this book reads like a textbook.. what else did you expect? It's high profile cases with the scientific findings. It's forensic science so unless you have fascination with forensic science and scientific analysis, this book isn't for you.

And also, Dr Wecht can and should speak very highly of himself because he's at the top of his field.

[Amber Massengill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very dry and scientific. This reads more like a textbook than a true crime novel. And this guy's ego needs to be taken back a few notches. He thinks very highly of himself. It is interesting because it focuses on investigations that garnered tons of media attention, but also made me angry all over again that Casey Anthony got away with murdering her precious baby.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read

I must admit, I didn't read the entire book. I read the cases of Casey Anderson, Gabby, & Michael Jackson. All 3 were interesting reads, with tidbits I didn't know. The death of Caylee is disturbing.

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fascinating book for true crime buffs

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The forward was my favorite part of this book. If you have ever read any of my other reviews, you will know that I have been a long-time fan of Geraldo Rivera. The rest was good, but not great.

[Freshta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting but not as detailed if description as I had thought. I still enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting to learn of the loopholes and how in certain cases human psychology (jurors) could allow certain criminals to get away and how their deep sympathies can help provide closure to some as was the case in Gabby's case.
I do wish there was more explanation and or analysis of how forensic science can help or have an effect on revisiting some of the laws and closing some of the loopholes in the system.
It is obvious that human error is playing a major role in the world of crime and forensics.... how could he and other professionals in this area address this issue. It is probably a subject for another book but overall it is a fast good read.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 2 out of 5]

even with help from a supposed author, Wecht cannot produce a book that is not dry like a textbook or coroner's report. The cases that are fascinating are so despite the telling. This includes USAF colonel Shue which includes an apparent error early in the career of TV's Dr. G, Gabrielle Miranda BechenZ, and "terminal tragedy" Carol Anne Gotbaum. There are interesting details on the autopsy interpretation done by Wecht on Michael Jackson, Brian Jones, and in the Case of Casey Anthony and serial uxoricide Drew Peterson.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually like crime investigation type books. I like hearing about the investigation, the forensics, the million little ways criminals give themselves away, but this one..meh.

Each case was just a rehash of everything you could have seen on an episode of Dateline. I've read a similar book by Dr. Henry Lee and it was much better than this one which was written by Dr. Cyril Wecht who didn't break any new ground, didn't even really offer his interpretation of the evidence.

Meh.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting book. Some cases I had heard about and some I had not. The author is a forensic psychologist and gives the background and his opinion on the cases of Casey Anthony, Drew Petersen, Michael Jackson, Colonel Philip Shue, Gabrielle Bechen, Carol Anne Gotbaum, and Brian Jones.

[Mjdrean · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was soooo disappointing. One of my favorite genres is true crime. This well respected pathologist has sunk low with this one. He and his co-author have done little more than re-hash and re-write already over-reported new stories and all in the name of making money. Shame on them.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating cases, by someone who actually was involved in the cases. Not so good if you are squeamish however.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy DR Cyril H Wecht's writing style and professional opinions on cases he has been apart of. What happened to Michael Jackson is especially interesting.

[Zia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best research and explanations of crime scene happenings I've ever encountered.

[John V. Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it in the papers

Thought I was going to learn new facts. Everything I read could be gleaned from news reports. Waste of time.

[Cathy Meyers]

I actually liked this book and thought it was very readable, despite what other reviewers said. I’m not a true-crime fan, and only read this book because it fit a category I needed to fill for “Bookclub Bingo,” so maybe I’m just not use to what true-crime writing should be like.