Book Summary18 Tiny Deaths, by Bruce Goldfarb

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of 18 Tiny Deaths

The difficulties and historical backdrop of the American coroner system, coupled with the pressing requirement for a modernized medical examination framework.

Goldfarb begins by underscoring the clear divergence between the outdated coroner system and the contemporary medical examiner system, stressing the obsolescence of the former and the urgency of adopting the latter. The book portrays the system of coroners as antiquated and inadequate, failing to keep pace with the intricate demands of contemporary death inquiries. Goldfarb argues that the system's inadequacies resulted in numerous incorrect convictions and failed to recognize cases where individuals were wrongfully killed.

The inherent deficiencies of the coroner system.

Investigations into deaths were carried out by local officials who did not possess specialized medical knowledge, and they were aided by a team of non-experts.

Goldfarb delves into the historical origins of the institution responsible for death investigations, charting its development from its beginnings in medieval England. Initially, coroners were tasked with a variety of duties that included collecting taxes and investigating deaths that might have financial implications for the royal treasury. Their decision was shaped by their involvement in activities related to governance and their unwavering loyalty to the crown.

During that period, the method for investigating deaths involved assembling a panel of ordinary people, often with agricultural backgrounds and not always able to read, tasked with determining the causes and conditions of a fatality. The individuals serving on these juries, without the requisite expertise in medicine or science, were ill-equipped to make informed judgments about the specifics surrounding a person's demise. Goldfarb argues that while this method may have been sufficient for sparsely populated regions where deaths often occurred due to accidents or sickness, it fell short when addressing the complex issues presented by city living in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Other Perspectives

• The use of non-experts could have been a reflection of the societal structure and resources available at the time, rather than an oversight or flaw in the system.
• The involvement of community members in death investigations could have served to increase transparency and trust in the process, as the community would have a direct role in the proceedings.
• The influence of governance and loyalty could have varied greatly between different coroners and regions, making it an oversimplification to assume uniform influence on decisions.
• While panels of ordinary people were indeed used, it's possible that they occasionally included individuals with relevant experience or knowledge, such as local healers, midwives, or herbalists, who could provide insights into the causes of death.
• The historical context should be considered; at the time, specialized medical knowledge was not as advanced or widespread, so the expectations of expertise would have been different from today's standards.
• The collective wisdom of a panel of jurors, even if not medically trained, could potentially lead to a consensus that reflects a reasonable interpretation of the evidence presented to them.
• The method's adequacy in rural settings does not consider the evolution of medical science, which has shown that many conditions once thought to be straightforward are, in fact, complex and would benefit from expert analysis.
• The simplicity of the investigation method could have been an asset, allowing for flexibility and rapid conclusions in an era before the advent of modern forensic science, which might have been more cumbersome and time-consuming.

The system of coroners was plagued by political interference, corruption, and ineptitude, leading to unreliable investigations into deaths and frequently inaccurate conclusions regarding the causes and circumstances of those deaths.

Goldfarb meticulously describes how, particularly in major urban areas, the coroner system was plagued by widespread incompetence and malpractice. Coroners often secure their positions based on their connections and loyalty to powerful individuals or entrenched political groups. The writer provides compelling examples of instances in which medical examiners abused their positions for personal gain, accepted bribes from funeral home operators, deliberately extended investigations to boost their income, and influenced jury decisions to achieve outcomes they preferred. Goldfarb posits that this decay in the system led to a multitude of wrongful convictions and allowed numerous homicides to remain undiscovered.

The author highlights the inherent shortcomings of the system, focusing on the medical ignorance of the coroners and the often questionable qualifications of the related doctors. He provides examples of cases where the recorded causes of death on official documents were irrational and unsupported, highlighting a substantial lack of meticulous scientific analysis and logical assessment in many cases. Goldfarb argues that the intrinsic shortcomings and lack of skill in the coroner system not only posed a threat to public well-being but also compromised the integrity of the legal system.

Other Perspectives

• The presence of checks and balances, such as oversight committees and professional standards, can help to reduce the influence of political interference and corruption within the coroner system.
• The focus on major urban areas might ignore the fact that rural areas could also face similar challenges, and the problems in the coroner system might not be unique to urban settings.
• In some jurisdictions, coroners...

18 Tiny Deaths Summary Frances Glessner Lee's contributions to forensic science and legal medicine, along with her life story and groundbreaking efforts in the field, are the focus of the narrative.

Goldfarb sheds light on the advancement of the discipline of forensic investigation in the US, highlighting the challenges encountered by women seeking acknowledgment in this domain, through a detailed account of Frances Glessner Lee's career. Lee was instrumental in advancing modern techniques for crime scene investigation, surpassing what was typically expected by societal standards. Lee's commitment to her medical studies, despite the obstacles in her path, drove her to independently pursue knowledge in the field of forensic science. With her assets and societal influence, she pushed for reform and the implementation of rigorous scientific techniques in the examination of sudden and unexplained fatalities.

Lee's formative years and burgeoning curiosities.

Born into a wealthy Chicago family with a strong appreciation for the arts, music, and intellectual pursuits.

Goldfarb provides a detailed account of Frances Glessner Lee's upbringing within an affluent Chicago household that was deeply involved with cultural, musical, and scholarly pursuits. Raised in a prosperous setting, Lee encountered a diverse spectrum of scholarly and creative fields, fostering her deep...

18 Tiny Deaths Summary Lee was instrumental in establishing the Department of Legal Medicine at Harvard Medical School, which greatly altered the methods used in death investigations.

The text delves into Lee's commitment to establishing a robust Department of Legal Medicine at Harvard and her efforts to promote the adoption of the medical examiner system across the United States. Lee is depicted by Goldfarb as a resolute advocate dedicated to advancing the field of forensic investigation, leveraging her significant assets, sway, and tireless energy to advocate for reform and confront opposition from entrenched entities. Despite encountering significant obstacles, her foresight played a pivotal role in advancing forensic techniques, improving educational curricula, and elevating the stature of the discipline, securing an enduring legacy that is evident in contemporary methodologies.

Lee's innovative contributions were instrumental in molding the Department of Legal Medicine.

The goal was to create an extensive educational program that would broaden the knowledge base of medical examiners while promoting the adoption of modern forensic techniques.

Goldfarb emphasizes Lee's progressive vision for Harvard's Department of Legal Medicine, concentrating on her ambition to create a comprehensive educational program aimed at training a new generation of...