In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explains what happens after a body arrives in the morgue, including the external examination, internal dissection, toxicology testing, and final report. He also discusses the care taken to preserve evidence, minimize unnecessary incisions, and prepare the body for release to the funeral home. Dr. Crowns also shares some of the more surprising things he's encountered in the morgue, including hazardous body bags, hundreds of feet of intestines, and Herman, the crawfish who became a morgue mascot.
Highlights
(0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns
(0:30) Medical versus forensic autopsies and the specialized training required to perform them
(2:00) What can arrive inside a body bag, including weapons, debris, and unexpected personal belongings
(3:30) How X-rays can reveal bullets, fractures, and hidden dangers before the autopsy begins
(5:30) Confirming identity, preserving trace evidence, and completing the external examination
(7:45) The Y-shaped incision and the hazards created by CPR and decomposition
(10:00) Why toxicology samples are collected from different areas of the body
(11:45) The Virchow, Rokitansky, and Letulle techniques for examining the organs
(16:00) The wide range of gastric contents found at autopsy, including an unexpected crawfish named Herman
(19:00) Pill paste, intact medications, and the clues that may indicate an intentional overdose
(20:15) Running the bowels, becoming "Bowel Boy," and removing the brain
(24:15) Microscopic testing, retained organs, and what happens before the body is released to the funeral home
About the Host
Dr. Kendall Crowns is the chief medical examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He has led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings sharp medical insight and dark humor to the often misunderstood realities of forensic pathology.
About the Show
Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners into the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations.
Connect and Learn More
You can learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on LinkedIn and follow Mayhem in the Morgue on TikTok at @mayheminthemorgue. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and be sure to follow Mayhem in the Morgue wherever you get your podcasts.
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