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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. Why is exhumation done early in the morning?

2. What did Fried's three daughters not believe?

3. Why was Sunny von Bulow hospitalized the second time?

4. What did the funeral director miss when preparing the body for funeral?

5. What is Attica?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how the defense for Hendricks tried to argue the digestive system argument, and Baden's counter argument.

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

3. Explain what actually happened to Daphne Mellon.

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

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

6. Explain why doctors believed Sunny von Bulow was suffering from low blood sugar on her arrival the third time at the hospital, in spite of EMT belief that she was suffering an overdose.

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

8. Describe why a body in the desert mummifies, and why a body in the Arctic stays bacteria free.

9. 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.

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

In the Mary Beth Tinning case, nine children died before someone thought to question the parents of the children. MEs, hospital staff, neighbors, friends, social services, and others all had the same information, but refused to question the situation.

Part 1.) Explain the circumstances that allowed this tragedy to unfold.

Part 2.) Discuss the SIDS diagnosis, in terms of why it is seldom questioned.

Part 3.) Write a brief opinion statement, noting whether you believe the system is partially responsible for these deaths, and why.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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