Cause of Death: A Leading Forensic Expert Sets the Record Straight

By Cyril H. Wecht, Mark Curriden, Benjamin Wecht, et al.

Book Overview

Using new medical evidence to challenge conventional explanations, a forensic pathologist reexamines the murders of the Kennedys, the death of Elvis Presley, and the cases of Jean Harris, Sunny von... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525936610
• ISBN13: 9780525936619
• Release Date: November 1993
• Publisher: Dutton
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 1.3" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Cyril Wecht

The book is a easy and intreging read. Every chapter is devoted to a different crime, so it never gets boring. This book was highly recommended to me by a friend who works under Cyril Wecht at the Allegheny County Corenors (?) Office and after hearing all the tales he had from his time learning from Dr. Wecht, I had to learn more. I recommend this book as a breather when your in the mist of a tough semester and you to relax

Not a Feel Good Hit

Warning, you have to be just a bit morbid to pick up this book. The dust jacket says it all, this author has dug through the autopsy reports of some famous people to find the "real" cause of death. Keeping the tabloid effort of the publisher aside, this is a somewhat interesting book if only from a "looking at an accident" form of macabre curiosity. As far as the writing goes, the author does a good job of keeping the complex medical terminology down to a minimum and when used is careful to explain them in layman's terms. Overall interesting and well-written if you are in to this type of book.

Forensic Facts on the Famous and the Unknown

Cyril Wecht is a famous forensic pathologist, or medical examiner. This book contains some stories about cases, some famous, some not, that he investigated or has been involved with.One is the assassination of JFK. ...He discusses some of the evidence that he has seen (of the autopsy and the doctors' testimony). He was responsible for discovering that JFK's brain is missing; it is evidence for the number of bullets and their path. Hidden evidence?The other is the assassination of RFK. The "tattooing" marks on Robert Kennedy's right ear prove that he was shot in the right rear of his head by a gun held about 2 inches from behind. Yet Sirhan was no closer than 4-5 feet from his front. He thinks a better attorney would have gotten him off.Both of the above cases had political effects that continue to affect us to this day. Dr. Wecht was a consultant to the movie "JFK" by Oliver Stone.Dr. Wecht is from the Pittsburgh area, was involved in politics, and held various elected (Democratic) offices as Penna. Coroner and County Commissioner.... The book tells of some of the other interesting local cases that he was involved with. It is entertaining and educational.The book is worth reading because of the chapters on JFK and RFK, and the other stories are educational and entertaining. He also consulted with the Los Angeles medical examiner who was the model for "Quincy, M.E.", a usually entertaining TV series from the early 80's. (I think it was one of the few that realistically showed the "personality conflicts" that occur between allied departments, and because of budgets.)

riveting

This book is excellent-I couldn't put it down! I challenge anyone to read this well written, unbiased, and informative piece of work and then say with any degree of certainty that you know who did it.(especially the chapter on the O.J evidence) Cyril Wecht is a genius in my book!