Chronic Dysfunction Found In Death Investigations
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Post Mortem: Death Investigation In America
Did you know a coroner doesn't need a medical degree to diagnose the cause of death? An NPR News investigation in partnership with ProPublica and PBS Frontline explores the nation's 2,300 coroner and medical examiner offices, and finds a troubled system that buries its mistakes.
Shirley Ree Smith sits in the living room of her daughter's upstairs duplex in Alexandria, Minn. Smith is waiting to hear if California Gov. Jerry Brown will grant her clemency. "They say things happen for a reason. I'm not sure if I'll ever figure out a reason for all of this," she says.
New Evidence In High-Profile Shaken Baby Case
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Shirley Ree Smith, who was convicted of killing her 7-week-old grandson, faces a return to prison. But an investigation by NPR, ProPublica and PBS Frontline has found documents that raise new questions about the autopsy that sent her there.
The Child Cases: Lessons From Canada()
June 30, 2011 Tammy Marquardt is one of at least a dozen people prosecuted for killing children in Ontario based on what later turned out to be tainted medical evidence. In just the past few years, courts have overturned several of those convictions, and more are under review.
The Two-Way
Judge Tosses Conviction Of Texas Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Infant()
January 26, 2012 A joint investigation by NPR, Frontline and ProPublica cast doubt on Ernie Lopez's conviction. It found that oftentimes medical examiners and coroners mishandle cases of infant and child deaths.
Shots - Health Blog
New Theory On 'Shaken Baby Syndrome'()
July 1, 2011 A new study suggests that babies can die by violent shaking alone, but not in the way doctors have thought. A series of autopsies suggests damage to the neck rather than the brain can be fatal.
Rethinking Shaken Baby Syndrome()
June 29, 2011 The dispute over the common child abuse diagnosis is a bitter civil war. And now, the pediatric neurosurgeon who is credited with first observing the syndrome is speaking out for the first time about his concerns over how it is used in child abuse cases.
Live Chat: 'The Child Cases,' 1 p.m. Wednesday()
June 28, 2011 Join reporters from NPR, PBS Frontline and ProPublica for a discussion on our joint investigation of more than two dozen flawed pediatric death cases, which sent innocent parents and caregivers to prison.
Radio Pictures
Flawed Autopsies Send Two Innocent Men To Jail()
February 2, 2011 In Mississippi, Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer, spent a combined 30 years in jail for crimes they didn't commit.
Is The 'CSI Effect' Influencing Courtrooms?()
February 6, 2011 Many prosecutors complain that shows like CSI make their job harder, as jurors demand ultra-high-tech tests to convict suspects. But an investigation by NPR, PBS Frontline and ProPublica has exposed how death investigation in America is nothing like what you see on TV.
The Two-Way
California Officials Reviewing Autopsies Done By Doctor With Trail Of Errors()
February 25, 2011 Dr. Thomas Gill's work is being re-examined in Solano and Yolo counties. During the past 20 years, he repeatedly resurrected his career despite autopsy errors in Indianapolis, Northern California and Kansas City, Mo.
Parents Fight To Find Truth Behind Daughter's Death()
February 7, 2011 When Chanda Turner was found with a gunshot wound, the Oklahoma medical examiner's office ruled it a suicide. But after a 10-year battle to find the truth, the family has been left with an inaccurate and incomplete death certificate.
Post Mortem Live Chat Transcript()
January 31, 2011 Read the transcript from the Post Mortem: Death Investigation in America live discussion with the NPR, ProPublica and PBS Frontline reporters behind the series.
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