Customer Reviews

Tales from the Morgue: Forensic Answers to Nine Famous Cases Including the Scott Peterson & Chandra Levy Cases

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This book is not particularly well-written. It's somewhat cobbled-together, a Frankenstein creation of mismatched parts.

And here and there the reasoning doesn't seem sound. For example, Dr. Wecht's summary feeling that Scott Peterson was unfairly convicted of killing his wife and unborn son isn't sensible. He is basing his objection on the fact that all the evidence against Peterson was circumstantial. Well, but given the weight of that evidence...

Then in his chapter on the accidental shooting committed by Johnny Gammage, basketball player, Wecht quotes the forensic testimony he gave on the stand. This testimony is garbled and contradictory. Wecht couldn't have been of much help to the attorneys for whom he was testifying.

Again, in his analysis of the 1985 crash of the military plane Arrow Jet 950 in Newfoundland, Wecht seems to overlook a key possibility. He takes issue with the official conclusion that the crash occurred because of inadequate plane de-icing, and that the fire that engulfed the plane only occurred after impact. Wecht thinks the condition of the dead passengers and crew belie this conclusion, because he found smoke in some of the victims' lungs. Wecht's own theory is that it's likelier some sort of explosion (possibly even a terrorist bomb) rocked the plane in mid-air, causing an in-flight fire. But finding smoke in victims' lungs could also mean that some of the passengers survived a few moments after the crash and inhaled smoke from the fire that did in fact occur only after impact - couldn't it?

Some better chapters follow, but by this time I was growing leery of Wecht's interpretations. So even though he presents an interesting, concise account of the Kennedy assassination, I don't quite trust his dissenting conclusion about it, especially since the majority of his peers reviewing recently released material come to opposite conclusions. However his theory sounds correct.

Similarly his chapter on Marilyn Monroe's death sounds as if it could be the final word on the subject. His unsensational theory about her cause of death should quash all the lurid, teasing TV speculations that periodically get aired. But even here, Wecht undermines an otherwise good analysis. He sees fit to gratuitously interject the fact that Marilyn Monroe wasn't his "type," that he prefers "cool brunettes." Informing us of his taste in woman while he contemplates Monroe's stomach and colon contents, makes him sound like the ultimate jerk. He perpetrates one final indignity on Monroe.

But there is value in reading about these different cases on which Wecht says he consulted. You'll get summaries of the facts of each case. And you will learn how much of forensics is art rather than science. You'll come to better distinguish the dramatized certitudes of the CSI series from real life, where there are often as many different opinions about the cause of a crime as there are forensic scientists working on the case.

Cyril H. Wecht deserves his starred review. His investigations are stellar. His work is unparalleled.

Here we have a true top-notch investigative crime book. Wecht is eminently analytical on some truly thorny, gruesome cases-and his insights are above any in other books on these cases.

Wecht scrutinizes these cases with salient awareness and comprehension. His examinations of enigmatic cases are clear and concise and well-defined. His prose is readable and gripping. He discerns carefully and easily and allows the reader to savor the process.

He delves the JFK controversy. His grips his fingers into Marilyn Monroe's supposed homicide and asserts some shocking conclusions. He engages every last detail. The results are penetrating.

Wecht is a venerated pathologist who is unrelentingly investigative. He is not afraid to dredge up government cover-ups. He doesn't let facts stay hidden. He's a modern day sleuth on par with Sherlock Holmes. Finally, an investigator who doesn't mope around in rigmarole. He goes for the good stuff. And does it with precision.

Wecht is at the top of his field. This book is a testimony to his uncanny expertise. Anyone with an appreciation for prime criminal analysis needs this book. I applaud Wecht's paramount efforts.

"Tales From the Morgue" presents Dr. Wecht's analyses of 9 cases, from old to recent, and involving unknowns to JFK. Most of the book is taken up with background information - eg. Scott Peterson and Marilyn Monroe's lives, and in a number of cases Wecht's second opinion adds nothing to what had already been concluded. However, in two others (JFK's assassination, The Gander Air Crash) his conclusions, while well documented, vary markedly from the official record.

Scott Peterson: Wecht was hired by the defense to do an autopsy review on Laci and Connor's bodies. Wecht found no evidence pointing to Scott, but did observe that the body was found only one mile from where Scott went fishing, leaving only two explanations: 1)Scott did it, or 2)Someone else did it and tried to frame Scott. Since the latter seems extremely implausible, one is left with the conclusion that Scott did it, even though Dr. Wecht was amazed that anyone would be convicted solely on circumstantial evidence.

Jayson Williams: Basketball star accused of reckless manslaughter in the accidental shooting of a chauffer at his house. Wecht's analysis went into great detail, but ultimately offered no clear insight on WIlliams' guilt or innocence.

Chandra Levy: Wecht concluded that she was probably strangled - adding nothing useful to the case beyond what already had been concluded. (To be fair, however, the body had been outside for over a year before being found, and there was probably very little that could be concluded.)

Gander Air Crash: Occurred 12/85, killing 248 soldiers returning from Mid-East duty. The official report concluded that wing ice was the cause; however, a minority report concluded that this was not likely. One witness reported seeing a fireball prior to the crash, and toxicology reports found very high carbon-monoxide levels in over four dozen soldiers. Wecht concluded that there had been a fire prior to the crash and suggested the investigation be re-opened. Unfortunately, most of the evidence had since been destroyed. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the crash - supposedly an outgrowth of Oliver North having shorted Iran on promised missiles. Thus, fear of exposing Iran-Contra wrongdoings supposedly prevented Reagan or Bush I from reopening the case.

JFK: Wecht spent two days reviewing the evidence at the National Archives. Concluded that there were two shooters, and at least four shots were fired - not possible with only the gun Oswald was using. Wecht's conclusion is that the initial autopsy was sloppy, and subsequently was covered up to avoid embarrassment.

Marilyn Monroe: A fairly mundane case - no evidence of illegal drug use, but did find high levels (about 8X a fatal amount) of a sedative (chloral hydrate) in her blood.

Bottom Line: Dr. Wecht concluded that conspiracies existed in two high profile cases. I'm not much for conspiracy theories, but then we have had cover-ups galore in the last few years - so he may well be correct.

Dr. Cyril Wecht is one of the most sought-after forensic pathologists in the world: his expertise lends to providing proof that runs counter to popular opinion and his scientific expertise reads well for lay readers fascinated by true crime investigations. TALES FROM THE MORGUE: FORENSIC ANSWERS TO NINE FAMOUS CASES tackles high-profile cases from Scott Peterson's murder of his wife and unborn child to the assassination of President Kennedy and the death of Marilyn Monroe. Dr. Wecht reveals methods, evidence, trials, and pathology techniques in a lively discourse which reads like a thrilling murder mystery of nine famous cases. Fascinating reading and a lively writing style lend to TALES FROM THE MORGUE 's appeal to a wide general-interest audience.

I agree with the previous reviewer. Don't waste your time. There's nothing new, except maybe the information on the Kennedy case. I feel the author is capitalizing on the popularity of the forensic-type television programs, and I got sucked in. And now that I know more about Dr. Wecht from the news, my thoughts have been confirmed.

This book is awesome! Great detail of each autopsy. Marlilyn Monroe, & JFK autopsy details are amazing! Easy read, you never want to put this book down!

Written so the layman can understand it. Very good reading.

As usual, Dr. Wecht (who, by the way, is under federal investigation for using his public office for private personal gain) makes the reader believe he had official roles in all these cases. In fact, in most of them he has been working for tabloids such as The National Enquirer and The Globe, and has not had any official role.

It has been many years since any reputable law enforcement entity outside of the Pittsburgh area (where they have to use him) has asked for the Dr.'s assistance on a case, and his involvement in recent cases has just been to spout off in order to make the cases sound more lurid -- and thus profitable -- to the tabloid media.

Save your money and don't buy this book. Use it instead to buy a front-row ticket to his upcoming (hopefully) federal trial.

At last, a book based on professional forensic evidence on the Scott Peterson case. This perspective, coupled with the book, Presumed Guilty, by Matt Dalton, create for me a more level-headed portrayal of facts, painting a clearer picture for the truth. Wecht's one piece of evidence for me, is the caffeine found in the toxicology test from Laci's autopsy. I have learned elsewhere, that Laci did not drink caffeine during her pregnancy. She clearly left her home alive, then, and was not drugged by Scott, as the prosecution suggested. She most likely was forced to drink caffeine under duress, suggesting the likelihood of an abduction. I do believe Scott will win his freedom, with a chance for a fairer trial.