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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. On investigation, what did the Claus defense team find about Dr. Worthington?

2. Where was the body of Daphne Mellon found?

3. Why were the corrections officers not supposed to take part in the raid?

4. Why does Baden offer to do a minimum autopsy?

5. What misled the doctors the day of Sunny's third hospitalization?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how the development of maggots helped determine time of death in the case of Gail Morris.

2. Explain what Baden and his team found when they became part of the medical review board that monitors prison deaths, and how those issues were addressed.

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

4. Explain why the DA dropped the three additional murder charges against Kuklinski.

5. What are possible motives given for Joseph Christopher's killing spree?

6. Explain how Carl Cappolino killed William E. Farber.

7. How did Baden know Paul Fried had not committed suicide?

8. Explain how Baden knew the hostages were killed by the guards.

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

10. Describe the symptoms of a heroin overdose, and how it kills.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The case of Carl Cappolono is listed as being an almost perfect crime. However, this case had several holes in it that eventually led to Carl's demise. Based on the book, what kinds of mistakes do killers make that eventually come back to haunt them? What do killers assume about poison, and why is this assumption incorrect? How can an ME detect poisons long after they have been administered, according to the tests done in the book? What does this say about the idea that poison killings are killings without a trace?

Essay Topic 3

Baden discusses the use of forensic medicine to help humanity. After reading the book, how do you think forensic medicine can help humanity beyond locating a cause of death? Do you think this role is important? Why? What does the role of an ME have on criminal trials and other investigations? Is this important? When combined with the knowledge that public opinion can overpower science, is the role of a medical examiner more or less important? Why? Be sure to use concepts from the book to explain your answers.

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This section contains 980 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample