Body of evidence: when coroners and medical examiners fail to distinguish accidents from murders from suicides, a botched autopsy can be the death of a fair trial, an insurance settlement or a civil suit

Article Abstract:

Medical examiners often provide key evidence at civil and criminal trials and yet may have insufficient training, may be under political pressure or may just fail to do a good job. Public belief in medical examiners and autopsy reports is dropping because of the large number of cases where crucial evidence or lack of that evidence results in a wrongful conviction, no prosecution or inaccurate cause of death. Continuing education and access to experts as well as better salaries to draw higher-quality personnel could help restore public faith in medical examiners and improve the profession.

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities, Investigative Procedures, United States, Practice, Death, Forensic pathology, Investigations, Certification, Medical examiners (Law)

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Trial offers peek at Shriner rites; but shocks, whipped cream and red dye do not a winning lawsuit make

Article Abstract:

Michael Vaughan of Lexington, KY, lost his Dec 1991 battery and negligence case against the local Shriners over injuries he claimed he incurred during an initiation ceremony. The Shriners successfully disputed Vaughan's claim that his back was injured during a secret rite that included repeated electric shocks. Vaughan's case may have been done in by evidence presented that he had visited a chiropractor five days before the initiation, and by testimony that he had told acquaintances of his wish for a large settlement to finance a move to Florida.

Cases, Rites, ceremonies and celebrations, Fraternal organizations, Assault and battery, Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America

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NYU experiment offers free education; law school's goal is to test whether more students will take public service jobs

Article Abstract:

New York University School of Law has instituted a student loan program whereby students who work for up to ten years after graduation in a public interest job will receive a free law school education. The program was made possible by an anonymous $5 million gift. New York University's Public Interest Law Center will manage the program and an accompanying study on the relationship between debt burden and whether graduates choose the public or the private sector.

Management, Finance, Law students, Student loans, New York University. School of Law

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