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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 did Fried's three daughters not believe?

2. How was Smith killed by Kuklinski?

3. How did the ME know Masgay had been frozen?

4. How did Jerald Sklar claim Catherine Fried had killed her husband?

5. What do drowning victims have in common with heroin overdose cases?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the circumstances surrounding the finding of Daphne Mellon's vehicle, personal items, and body, and why those findings led to questions.

2. How did Baden know the killer in the Buffalo slayings was trained, either as a hunter or medically?

3. Explain what actually happened to Daphne Mellon.

4. Explain Ondine's syndrome.

5. Describe how Barry Schwartz and Kenneth Hess were killed by the other inmates.

6. Describe the circumstances in the case of the S&M nurse and doctor in Chapter Ten that led to the case being taken to a grand jury to process the nurse for homicide.

7. Explain the situation that causes some teenagers and adults to accidentally commit suicide by hanging during sexual experimentation.

8. Describe the potassium eye fluid test.

9. Explain the three themes of Baden's affidavit in the case of Claus von Bulow.

10. Explain why the prisoners at Attica were rioting, including those things mentioned that were problems for the corrections board.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Baden points out several times in the novel that the role of the ME is one of politics, science, and power. Do you agree that the ME has power? Why or why not? Do you think the ME can directly affect the outcome of a criminal trial? Why or why not? Does this mean the ME has to show a large level of credibility? What should happen if that credibility is questioned? Do you think the ME should issue death certificates that necessarily help the DA? Why or why not? Be sure to analyze these issues using examples and details from the novel.

Essay Topic 2

There are several cases in the book where individuals take part in the death of another person, but are determined to be innocent of wrongdoing. These cases include the case of Daphne Mellon, the doctor and nurse in Chapter 10, and the Sutton Place banker, Robert. Choose one of these cases, and discuss the following:

1.) What was the cause of death for the victim?

2.) What were the circumstances surrounding their death?

3.) Why was no one convicted of their murder?

4.) Do you think that the person(s) involved in the victim's death should have been brought to trial? Why or why not? What is the difference between your chosen case, and the case of Cathy Smith, who served time for giving John Belushi his last drug injection? Why was she brought to justice, but the people in your chosen case were not? What does this say about the current system?

Be sure to go into specific detail about why these deaths were considered accidents, even though someone else was present, or contributed to the death.

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 1 of the book, Baden discusses the concept of celebrity death, and the effect of a flawed autopsy on the perception of foul play surrounding the death. Do you think conspiracy theories are derived from the life of the celebrity, or the circumstances surrounding their death, or both? Why? What aspects of life or death help frame a conspiracy theory following death? Why do some celebrities suffer such beliefs after their death and some do not? Based on this, do you think forensic science can have an effect on these ideas? Why or why not? What does this say about forensic science?

(see the answer keys)

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