Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of autopsies, workplace injuries, and bodily hazards. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you.

They say the dead can't hurt you. Anyone who's worked in a morgue knows better. In this episode of Mayhem in the Morgue, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns begins Exposure, a two-part look at the hidden hazards of working among the dead. From bees buzzing out of body bags to bullets, snakes, and sparking pacemakers, these true stories prove that even in death, the threat of harm is still alive.

Highlights

• (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns
• (0:45) The dead are still dangerous: hazards that arrive with the body
• (1:15) Bees, scorpions and other stinging surprises
• (3:15) A garter snake slithers out of a body bag
• (4:45) When lice from a deceased patient cause an office-wide infestation
• (7:40) The six main autopsy hazards: mechanical, sharp force, electrical, chemical, radiation, and infection
• (10:00) Back injuries and gurney accidents caused by the morbidly obese
• (12:15) Slippery floors, crush injuries, and repetitive strain
• (13:00) Sharp force dangers: knives, scalpels, broken glass, and needles
• (15:00) Decomposition fluid, broken bones, and close calls
• (17:15) Electrical hazards and sparking pacemakers
• (18:00) Radiation exposure and the early days of fluoroscopy
• (19:30) Closing reflections: the dead are always dangerous

About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns

Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology.

About the Show

Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations.

Connect and Learn More

Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts.

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