From Crime Scene to Courtroom ─ Examining the Mysteries Behind Famous Cases

Wecht, a forensic pathologist and lawyer, profiles seven well-known homicide cases that he has been involved in during the original autopsy or as a consultant, including the deaths of Rolling Stones drummer Brian Jones, singer Michael Jackson, 12-year-old Gabby Bechen, and housewife and mother Carol Ann Gotbaum, who died in police custody in Phoenix on her way to an alcohol treatment center. The cases illustrate both medical and psychological complexity and include b&w and color photos. Author Wecht has appeared on TV and has written other books on true-life crime. Co-author Dawna Kaufman is a true-crime journalist. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Cyril H. Wecht, MD, JD, one of the world’s leading forensic pathologists/lawyers, is the author or co-author of A Question of Murder, Tales from the Morgue, Mortal Evidence, Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?, Grave Secrets, Cause of Death, and hundreds of professional publications. He has served as president of both the American College of Legal Medicine and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and has appeared on numerous nationally syndicated television programs, including Dateline NBC, 48 Hours Mystery, 20/20, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, Geraldo at Large, Issues with Jane Velez- Mitchell, and many others.

Dawna Kaufmann is an accomplished true-crime journalist whose work has been heralded by law enforcement and the media. The co-author with Dr. Wecht of A Question of Murder, she has covered hundreds of high-profile homicide and missing-person cases for national magazines, including the National Enquirer, Star, and Globe, as well as countless other publications, and has contributed material to Criminalists: An Introduction to Forensic Science, the leading textbook on the subject for high schools and universities. In addition, she is an award-winning producer and writer, with a multitude of credits in television, including late-night and variety programming.