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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What disease does Humes purposefully leave out of the notes of the autopsy?

2. During Chapter Two, what do the doctors at the table of the woman who died believe was her cause of deathf?

3. How long did it take Baden's wrongful dismissal suit to go to trial?

4. Why does Baden believe Levine was convicted at all costs?

5. What does Baden claim happens at the site of an accident?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain why identification of the victims of Flight 66 was hindered.

2. In the end of Chapter One, the report given to the FBI suggests two shooters. Explain the event that prompted the committee to suggest this.

3. Describe the People vs. Levine case. What was the case, and why did Baden fail to do as he was asked by the DA?

4. Explain the circumstances surrounding the guilty verdict of Harvey Crippen.

5. What is psychosis with exhaustion, according to Baden?

6. Describe why there was controversy surrounding the death of Elvis.

7. Explain Baden's experience of the convergence of hospital medicine and the morgue, and why the event had an impact on him.

8. Describe the event in Oklahoma that caused the state to create an office of medical examiner.

9. Describe the blunders that occurred during the Levin and Chambers case.

10. Many cases are mentioned in Chapter Four that others point to as proof that Baden made poor judgments while acting as ME. What is his defense, in general, for the accusations?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the Joseph Christopher case, Baden points out several odd serial killer characteristics. What made Christopher a rare serial killer? What were his methods? What were his motives? How does this differ from other serial killers? Be sure to be detailed in your answers, and include each phase of Christopher's killing spree, including:

• The shootings in Buffalo

• The killings of the taxi drivers

• The slashings in New York

Essay Topic 2

Baden often questions the morality of others involved in the governmental process. He questions the DAs, the mayors, hospital coroners, military personnel, rescue workers, and still others throughout the novel on a variety of different levels. Why do you think Baden suspects nearly all departments of corruption? Do you think this comes from his own experiences as an ME? Why or why not? Do you think Baden is biased as a result of his experiences? Does this discredit his opinions about such issues as misidentifying remains, improper ME techniques, or looting of victims? Why or why not? What does this say about the credibility of his entire book?

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 4, Baden discusses the history of the office of the medical examiner. In detail, discuss this history. How did the position begin in the reign of King Richard I? What was the position like by the eighteenth century? What event began to change the view of this position, according to Scotland Yard? What began to happen by the French Revolution? How was the position seen in the colonies? What was the view of the ME by the early nineteenth century? What is the current view? Be sure to list details from the book in your discussion.

(see the answer keys)

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