Dr. Michael Baden

Nicole Yershov

When we heard that Dr. Baden was coming to Bronx Science to make a presentation for the SUPA Forensic Science program, we were naturally very excited because we had studied his work in class as well as watched his HBO show. Since there are only 400 forensic pathologists in the country, they are all very busy, so it was very nice of Dr. Baden to take out time from his very hectic schedule to speak to us about his work. His performance did not disappoint; we left the room with an insight into the job of a forensic pathologist. Dr. Baden began his speech by throwing out an alarming fact that only 20 out of 50 murderers go to jail. The job of the forensic pathologist is to “speak to the dead” and bring justice to the victim. Through the use of trace evidence, bugs, bruises and smells on the body, and foreign content found in the body, forensic pathologists like Dr. Baden hope to accomplish this.

Dr. Baden’s speech began with a brief history of forensic pathology. The phrase “Forensic Science” came from the Julius Caser case and meant a “public place”. The coroner system was established in the time of King Leon and 60 out of 62 countries in Europe were part of the system. Thomas Wakley was a famous coroner in London’s coroner office and actually inspired the writings of a young bystander, Charles Dickson who wrote in the Lanson newsletter about new cases that were solved. Charles Dickson’s writing was revolutionary in that it focused on the ordinary poor people rather than the rich nobles and kings. Dr. Baden then discussed the very important Locard Exchange Principle and its origin in 1840’s by Sir Laben. The Locard Exchange Principle is the exchange of physical evidence between the scene and the suspect. Dr. Baden then mentioned the first forensic laboratory; Scotland Yard which was established in 1904 after the government could not solve the famous case of Jack the Riper.

The speaker discussed modern advances in the field of forensic science. Dr. Baden mentioned that DNA can be extracted from sperm, vaginal cells, and bacteria in rape victims because the cytoplasm of these cells is loaded with mitochondrial DNA, which the person gets from his or her mother. Every cell in a body has the same DNA. In fire and drowning victims, lungs of the victim are checked for carbon monoxide poisoning and water. The color of death is also noted because in cases such as cyanide poisoning, the color of death is pinkish, not purplish.

Dr. Baden continued on with the speech by discussing important cases the he, and other Forensic pathologists, solved. I was very impressed by the detail that was put on the smallest physical evidences that ended up being crucial in solving the case. In the Webster case, in which a man named Webster killed Pakman, a janitor found jaw and other bones which he believed belonged to a man who has been murdered. When this case went to court, Webster said that the bones were planted there by the janitor himself; this case has not yet been solved. In the Lindbergh Case, a man known as the “last hero” son was kidnapped and variety of evidence led this case into trial. The Medger Everts case involved a man who was shot many years ago and buried and then was exhumed for forensic scientists to re-examine the body (because new evidence was found and the autopsy was missing). His body was in excellent condition, probably because the casket was very well sealed, put very deep in the ground and many preservatives were used on the body after the man’s death. In modern times, not many bodies are re-exhumed because forensic scientists keep samples of blood, body tissue and hair.

I can speak for all the Forensic classes and say that we really enjoyed Dr. Baden’s presentation and learned a great deal in a very short period of time. All his accomplishments are very inspiring to me and helped me believe that any person can make a true difference in the lives of others. Dr. Baden used his gift of “speaking to the dead” to solve many previously difficult cases.



		Dr. Michael Baden Nicole Yershov When we heard that Dr. Baden was coming to Bronx Science to make a presentation for the SUPA Forensic Science program, we were naturally very excited because we had studied his work in class as well as watched his HBO show. Since there are only 400 forensic pathologists in the country, they are all very busy, so it was very nice of Dr. Baden to take out time from his very hectic schedule to speak to us about his work. His performance did not disappoint; we left the room with an insight into the job of a forensic pathologist. Dr. Baden began his speech by throwing out an alarming fact that only 20 out of 50 murderers go to jail. The job of the forensic pathologist is to “speak to the dead” and bring justice to the victim. Through the use of trace evidence, bugs, bruises and smells on the body, and foreign content found in the body, forensic pathologists like Dr. Baden hope to accomplish this. Dr. Baden’s speech began with a brief history of forensic pathology. The phrase “Forensic Science” came from the Julius Caser case and meant a “public place”. The coroner system was established in the time of King Leon and 60 out of 62 countries in Europe were part of the system. Thomas Wakley was a famous coroner in London’s coroner office and actually inspired the writings of a young bystander, Charles Dickson who wrote in the Lanson newsletter about new cases that were solved. Charles Dickson’s writing was revolutionary in that it focused on the ordinary poor people rather than the rich nobles and kings. Dr. Baden then discussed the very important Locard Exchange Principle and its origin in 1840’s by Sir Laben. The Locard Exchange Principle is the exchange of physical evidence between the scene and the suspect. Dr. Baden then mentioned the first forensic laboratory; Scotland Yard which was established in 1904 after the government could not solve the famous case of Jack the Riper. The speaker discussed modern advances in the field of forensic science. Dr. Baden mentioned that DNA can be extracted from sperm, vaginal cells, and bacteria in rape victims because the cytoplasm of these cells is loaded with mitochondrial DNA, which the person gets from his or her mother. Every cell in a body has the same DNA. In fire and drowning victims, lungs of the victim are checked for carbon monoxide poisoning and water. The color of death is also noted because in cases such as cyanide poisoning, the color of death is pinkish, not purplish. Dr. Baden continued on with the speech by discussing important cases the he, and other Forensic pathologists, solved. I was very impressed by the detail that was put on the smallest physical evidences that ended up being crucial in solving the case. In the Webster case, in which a man named Webster killed Pakman, a janitor found jaw and other bones which he believed belonged to a man who has been murdered. When this case went to court, Webster said that the bones were planted there by the janitor himself; this case has not yet been solved. In the Lindbergh Case, a man known as the “last hero” son was kidnapped and variety of evidence led this case into trial. The Medger Everts case involved a man who was shot many years ago and buried and then was exhumed for forensic scientists to re-examine the body (because new evidence was found and the autopsy was missing). His body was in excellent condition, probably because the casket was very well sealed, put very deep in the ground and many preservatives were used on the body after the man’s death. In modern times, not many bodies are re-exhumed because forensic scientists keep samples of blood, body tissue and hair. I can speak for all the Forensic classes and say that we really enjoyed Dr. Baden’s presentation and learned a great deal in a very short period of time. All his accomplishments are very inspiring to me and helped me believe that any person can make a true difference in the lives of others. Dr. Baden used his gift of “speaking to the dead” to solve many previously difficult cases.