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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 event forced Scotland Yard to begin examining the role of the coroner?

2. What happened in St. Louis in 1973 that hindered MIA investigations?

3. Why do the fallopian tubes of prostitutes show scarring during autopsy?

4. What happened to the property of a suicide victim during this time?

5. Where were the survivors of Flight 66 sitting?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how ricin came into fame in 1978.

2. What happened to much of the evidence in the Kennedy assassination case, and what does Baden believe occurred?

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 how the body of the mafioso was identified.

5. Discuss the symptoms of strychnine.

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

7. Explain what Baden notes occurs by the French Revolution as a way to bring bodies to medical schools for science.

8. List the three tests used to determine how long someone has been dead, and mention what they are.

9. Explain how Baden discovered the age, time of death, and identity of Katherine Howard.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain the case of Paul Fried in detail. What were the original circumstances surrounding Paul's death? What caused further investigation? What role did his wife, Catherine, play? What was their relationship like? Who came forward with information, and what was that information? How was a new cause of death discovered? What was the result? How did the autopsy findings affect this case? What does this say about the importance of a proper autopsy in any case of death?

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

Baden closes the novel by noting that the system is failing, and has been failing for some time. Why does he say this? What does he attribute as the cause of this failure? What are some things he thinks can help fix the situation? Do you agree these things are important? Why or why not? After reading the novel, do you think forensic medicine, and the role of the ME, are important? Why? What power do they have? What are their responsibilities, and why are these important?

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This section contains 997 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample