Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner

by Michael Baden

Forensic pathologist Michael Baden was a medical examiner in New York City for more than 25 years. Now he works for the New York State Police and teaches forensic medicine. This engrossing book covers: (1) several famous cases, including Baden's personal re-examination of the autopsy findings for Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy; (2) unusual cases Baden had as medical examiner for NYC, such as an autopsy on a dining room table at the Plaza Hotel; (3) how medical examiners decide on means of death, with a section on poisons; (4) the history of coroners and medical examiners since 12th century England; (5) disturbing politics involved in the office of the Chief Medical Examiner of NYC; (6) identification of the dead; (7) time of death; (8) multiple-murder cases; (9) an almost perfect murder; (10) close calls, including near deaths during sex; (11) cases of mistaken diagnosis; and (12) autopsy findings that shed light on what happened in the Attica uprising.

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

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Michael M. Baden is a physician and board-certified forensic pathologist known for his work investigating high-profile deaths and as a host of HBO's Autopsy. He is also the Forensic Science Contributor for Fox News Channel. ~ Wikipedia

Reviews

[Blondish And Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about autopsies, politics, and I Told You Sos.

Dr. Baden reveals the truth about multiple celebrity deaths, including John Belushi, Elvis Presley, Claus von Bulow, and John F. Kennedy. Apparently many autopsies are conducted by untrained coroners, or the pressures of expediency or politics affect the procedure and the results. Exit wounds go unnoticed, time of deaths figured incorrectly, tests for poisons or drugs not done right.

The book is definitely very interesting, but almost every single incident is either about how the author is the ONLY one who was objective, or the only one who didn't bow to the political pressures. He was demoted because of his strict objective truth telling. He was let go unfairly, and then sued his ex employers and won. There are multiple pages about how his boss gave him a list of all the things he had done wrong, and him refuting them: “He said I didn't return phone calls on time and I DID! He says I took too long with this or that, and it was somebody else's fault!” etc. He had to repeatedly step in and redo autopsies, or reinterpret the results, in order to save the day. Don't get me wrong—I have no trouble believing that everything he says is true, it's just that the entire book was SOOO self congratulatory, and it left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth.

In spite of this, the book was extremely interesting. There are TONS of anecdotes and vignettes about unnatural deaths, and all the weird things that happen. Lots of deaths that look suspicious that turn out to be accidents or natural deaths or suicides, and people who are accused of murder and are freed when Dr. Baden finds out the truth.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir of one of the most famous medical examiners is a decent showing. It is immediately clear that Dr. Baden's strength is science, rather than writing -- many of his cases lack a proper setup, climax and/or conclusion and he could stand to add some excitement to his descriptions of his findings.

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.

[William G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many others that have read this book, I first encountered Dr. Michael Baden as the host of HBO's Autopsy documentary series in the early 90's. As someone that at the time aspired to become a forensic pathologist, I was deeply fascinated by the show and I was absolutely delighted when I happened upon a copy of Dr. Baden’s book Unnatural Death.

Having spent a large part of my youth combing through every true crime magazine I could get my hands on, this book was the next evolution for me being written by one of the leading forensic pathologists in the world! I have to say I was certainly not disappointed!

The stories are clear and concise and narrated in a manner similar to the way Dr. Baden told the stories he shared on the Autopsy program. He details a wide range of elements relating to the training and duty of a medical examiner and cites a several examples to illustrate his points. The cases in this book range from investigations of celebrity deaths, including those of Elvis Presley and John Belushi, to the outcome of famous events like the riots at Attica Prison, to lesser known, but equally fascinating tales involving unique cases most have probably never heard of.

The downside of the book, looking back in retrospect, is that it is relatively small and does not delve into the details to any of the cases much beyond the scope of those old true crime magazines. In my youth, I would have naturally overlooked this failing and been excited for the many details of these cases that were new and fresh to me, but as an older adult, this work falls short. Also I must point out that while this book is an excellent window into the view of these cases during the period in which it was written, it is woefully outdated as the field of forensic pathology has progressed exponentially since the books was written over a quarter century ago!

In all, still a good read and something I could easily recommend to anyone with a passion for tales of true crime! Though I have cited the books shortcomings, I am giving the book 4 Stars because of the impact it one had on me when I encountered it years ago. Not sure I would be as generous if it were a more recent read!

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all bad, but not a real standout in my opinion.

[Sneil222 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was very hard subject matter but very fascinating. I could not put it down. Not for the faint of heart as some parts were hard to read...murders and baby deaths. But very good book.

[Stacy Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. Made me feel like I should have pursued my dreams of becoming a coroner like I wanted too. Excellent read pick it up!!!

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, fascinating read about the life and work of a medical examiner. It's a riveting story.

With all the reading I've done on forensics, this book still contained a few surprises for me, especially re: the von Bulow case. And who knew that airplane crash sites are looted by the emergency workers who are first on the scene? That was a pretty sad bit of news, as was how politics and the government attempt to control an ME's findings.

This was a great lesson in "not everything is what it seems." So many assumptions made about the manner of one's death can be disproven by a medical examiner.

If you're interested in the subject matter, I highly recommend this book

[L. Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I followed Mr Baden's series on TV from the nineties, so seeing he had penned a book with Ms Hennessee, I had to read it. And what can I say, credit this MD master brain with his brilliant insight and knowledge on this macabre and disturbing subject. I suppose so. Excellent stuff.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy feels a little bit self righteous, which I mean, is valid he was right most of the time. but I liked the chisme.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting forensic cases (from late 1980s back) blandly retold by an ME who was actually involved. How did he make this so boring? I began reading this while waiting at the DMV and started people-watching instead.

Not 'bad' but way more forgettable than I thought it would be.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got gut and disgust exercise by reading books of the suspense Queen, Mary Higgins Clark. She is AWESOME. So if you can survive just a teeny tiny bit of gory description, this book will be interesting. It possesses a scientific tone and spews out scientific terms, yet it still draws interest from an average reader. As you can probably see from the cover, it is a fascinating look into the world of underestimated Medical Examiners. I always thought of them as important; I mean, the autopsies they do! I never suspected they were so low on both the political and job chain. It’s a waste. But hey, I don’t know. This book was in the ’90′s, I think, and lots of things can change. It also answers a lot of questions about the talked about assassination of JFK, the death of Elvis Presley, and lots of controversial issues. This one’s an eye-opener.

Michael Baden is freaking awesome. Aside from being a BAMF Medical Examiner, he wrote this book. I’m very near the end and I still have not come across any part that I can call boring. (I know this is a review, but I am absolutely gushing with good criticism over this one). It’s very interesting, to say the least. Worth a look into! Out of five stars, I give this a shining 4.0.

[Samantha Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me a while to get through. That being said, it was a very informative account of an ME. I loved how Dr. Baden wrote about his interesting cases, and explained his role in the criminal justice system/ medical field. It is absolutely amazing to think that this book was written in 1989. Forensics have advanced since the writing of this book. Its just astounding to think that the work that Dr. Baden was doing predated CSI or any of the comparable shows.

I think that we all have an idea of forensics as CSI. Clearly, that is not the case. The ME sounds like a grueling job, that has to used facts and evidence that is in front of them in order to decide what actually happened. All politics aside.

I loved the analytical nature of the book, and how there was so much information packed into 215 pages. I truly felt that I had to completely digest the information, as I did not want to miss any of the facts.

[Fionnuala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that there's a lack of structure in this memoir, at least in terms of traditional memoirs. That's not to say that it's disjointed or confused, but for those of you looking for a more straightforward memoir structure, this book's style might stand out. Personally I found it fine -- I'm here for the details about the job, of which there are plenty, but those of you who prefer a more personal touch to a memoir might not be satisfied with this. It's very much a work memoir, with only the bare minimum of personal details (and these themselves are strictly related to the work). The narrative itself is loosely connected by case type, but meanders widely within the topic. I found it kept things interesting -- you never know what you're going to get next, though the tendency of the narrative to not bother trying to streamline or link different cases might make the book seem choppy to some.

Many of the cases featured are also cases that Dr Baden did not autopsy directly, and instead his involvement is through other means (such as inquiries, being hired as an expert for legal cases, etc). I didn't feel as though this negatively impacted what I expected to get, though people looking for something more along the lines of Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner might feel that it's not as "hands on"; personally I found all the details and cases fascinating, and didn't have a preference between those that Dr Baden worked on personally, and those upon which he acted only as a consultant.

There are a wide variety of cases covered here, and a close look at the forensics and detective work behind them. There's also a good look behind the scenes at the interpersonal and political complications of the job as well, which, while expected (politics affects everything, after all) are still scandalous and interesting to read about. The writing was compelling and clear -- I read all but 20 pages in one day -- and accessible even to those with no medical knowledge. There are also photographs contained in my edition, which, while black and white, might not be for the faint-hearted. They are, however, very interesting.

[Hannah Selector · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sure I knew exactly what to expect from "Unnatural Death: Confessions of a Medical Examiner" once I finished reading the title - summaries of noteworthy autopsies, perhaps a titillating murder story or two. And, that certainty of content was exactly why I made the purchase. But, I was wrong, and though I am rarely thrilled to be so, in the case of "Unnatural Death," I absolutely was.

Following a sluggish start, this measured and academic but still surprising read both informs and intrigues. It explores not only the day to day work of a medical examiner along with thrilling breaks in routine, but the often politically charged, morally ambiguous, and emotionally trying decisions faced by those responsible for dissecting unexplained, difficult and often gruesome deaths.

"Unnatural Death" provides insight into cases both well-known (the death of John Belushi, Kennedy's Assassination, The Iceman) and obscure. Baden's tone in speaking about even the most grisly of recounted deaths is matter-of-fact, if sometimes a bit superior, and considerate. In addition to his storytelling style, I appreciated his repeated and deliberate message that class disparity and inequality haunt even the business of death, and that these factors continue to effect the families of the deceased long after they are buried. However, his apparent social awareness does not prevent some prejudiced language from appearing throughout the book. Perhaps a product of Baden's age and the original publication date, these words and phrases are an unpleasant feature that had not been corrected as of the 2005 reprint I picked up.

Despite these flaws, this is a highly readable and recommendable autobiography with a great deal of unexpected insight and fascinating scientific factoids. After all, you may one day end up on Jeopardy and need to know the most lethal method of delivery for curare, or the sometimes sinister meaning of a low-hanging right testicle.

[Astrid Jakobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

I was introduced to this book by the HBO series, "Autopsy" which was available on YouTube (not sure if it's on there anymore). Dr. Baden's most famous cases were trotted out where the forensic evidence was the deciding factor on making a case or destroying it.

The book goes a bit farther and delves into some of Dr. Baden's memoirs, including his beef with the New York City mayor and DA in the 80s, in which he sued for being let go. But reading his recollections, they had a point. I mean, Dr. Baden clearly considers himself a man of high moral integrity and while that's admirable, he's not really much of a team player. He thinks too highly of himself and his expertise. I could see how that would affect the working relationships with his colleagues. But at the same time, he did highlight how separate counties and states must work together and not rely so much on professional courtesy and politics to dictate truth. I could see his point, but it's not winning him any friends.

A fast read, with extremely interesting viewpoints of a medical forensic pathologist.

[Dan Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Michael Baden has been in the business of forensic pathology for a long time. In this book – one of his earlier ones published in 1989 – he recounts some of his cases from the earlier segments of his career. In addition, he describes some of the methods used in his field, methods which he used in solving so many cases. The logic that he used in solving these cases is always clearly explained in light of these methods.

I enjoyed this book very much. Dr. Baden writes in a style that is clear, friendly, accessible, lively and immensely captivating. Although a bit dated (e.g., no DNA testing is mentioned), the stories in this book should captivate the interest of any forensic science/true crime enthusiast.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it could have used some transitions or editing to help the flow between cases. The cases covered were grouped in a related chapter, but you would finish one case and immediately talk about another with little transition.

I'm not sure if there are many 'confessions' in this book, other than pointing out that politics play a role in autopsies more than we would care to admit.

It's also aging, as it was originally written in 1989 and things have progressed so much. I liked it, though I thought it could be tedious at times.

[Jc cheek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Dr. Baden provides an interesting perspective and good insight to the MEs role in society. It's a little dated when it talks about the current state of the field as it was published in the 80s and things have changed since.

Dr. Baden has been involved in many interesting cases such as JFK, Attica, and Sunny von Bulen. He provides insight into the ME process in a very linear and logical way. The read was fast though I did learn several new words.

[Jaeylin Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an aspiring forensic pathologist, this was an engaging read that kept me busy and had me putting myself in Dr. Badens shoes.
He definitely rambled on every now and then but his writing is very informal, giving it a familiar feeling like talking to an old friend.
He’s very sure of himself but not cocky or overconfident.
I hope I get to meet Dr Baden someday when I am a forensic pathologist myself.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baden provides an interesting tour through the science of forensic pathology, telling stories of his most interesting and most sordid cases. As part of a special task force responsible for reviewing the JFK assassination, Baden highlights issues and conflicts of interest that plague the entire branch of forensic science.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

very informative, historic, and graphic. Although it is not my cup of tea (book club selection), i did enjoy learning about this dark, untalked about area. M.E.'s can scientifically determine so much info about how a human has died, been killed (or not), and how long the death has been. Quite an eye opener and very intriguing. Honestly could not put it down!

[Mars G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book if you like the subject matter. True crime fans will probably like this, but it is relatively unremarkable and a lot like many of the other books in the genre. I still enjoyed though!

[dejah_thoris · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entreating little paperback with a few new facts. Baden's writing is very layperson-friendly, so I'd recommend this book to forensic newbies.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Dr Michael Baden! He's a legend in Forensics and Pathology.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good interesting stories, medical side of crime.

[Gail Johnson, Ph.D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book for mortuary enthuses and forensic scientist. It's like having pathologist right there answering your questions.

[sequoia spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this genre of book and Michael Baden doesn't disappoint..

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some things were interesting, otherwise it was a decent informational read.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this three stars for being informative. I couldn't give it more than that though. The superiority oozes through each page and it's not entertaining.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other than the occasional commentary on how HE was wronged, I found the book interesting and thought provoking. I guess I had never considered the political fallout and the pressure placed on the ME to "agree" with the DA or politicians more than ensure the truth was sought. Sadly the forensic pathologist has been relegated to the bastard stepchild of the medical profession. Rather than the focus on prevention of other lives lost, they are pressured to make the families feel better about themselves or to fudge the cause, time, manner of death to help give the police the added noose to hang their suspect...whether true or not. It makes the recent increase in interest in CSI, crime scene investigation and forensic shows more understandable and desirable for ME offices....to further the public's understanding of their importance.