Blood On The Table: The Greatest Cases of New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

by Colin Evans

For almost a century, New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has presided over the dead. Over the years, the OCME has endured everything-political upheavals, ghastly murders, bloody gang wars, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and non-stop battles for power and influence-and remains the final authority in cases of sudden, unexplained, or violent death. Founded in 1918, the OCME has evolved over decades of technological triumphs and all-too human failure to its modern-day incarnation as the foremost forensics lab in the world, investigating an average caseload of over 15,000 suspicious deaths a year. This is the behind-the-scenes chronicle of public service and private vendettas, of blood in the streets and back-room bloodbaths, and of the criminal cases that made history and headlines.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime, Science, Medical, Medicine, History

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2008

About the author

Colin Evans is the author of 17 books dealing with forensics and true crime. His fascination with the murkier side of human nature began while he was still in school. Hours spent in library archives researching contemporary newspaper accounts about "Jack the Ripper" (no, he doesn't have any clues to the killer's identity, and he seriously doubts that anyone else does, either) got him started and it's really never stopped since then.

He was living in America when his first book was published in 1993, and since that time he's gone on to become one of the foremost writers dealing with the history and development of forensic science.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a complete impulse grab from Overdrive and I suspect if I'd had read the details more closely I may have skipped it. As it was, this was the only book I read on my vacation, and it's slightly disappointing.

So the summary sounds really terrific, right? I recently (last year?) read Working Stiff which is also a non-fiction memoir about the OCME and assumed this would be similar. It was not. Blood on the Table is much more a history of the Chief Examiners than of the cases and the science behind them. Yes, there are some case details, but the vast majority of the book deals with the political and personal agendas behind choosing the Chief and the history of the office itself.

As I read the book, I kept thinking that surely the next chapter/second half of the book would deal with more details than politics, so I kept reading. Ultimately I was disappointed, because honestly I just don't care about the politics of NYC. (Sorry, New York friends!) Would I recommend it to anyone else? Maybe to a very small subset of people. It's not that it was bad, but it was overall forgetful and unexciting- which is amazing for a book about murder.

[Heloise Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from cover to cover. The variety of "topics" covered made it so much more interesting. It is history, behind-the scenes- stories, actual cases. Just loved it. The research the author did is amazing. I also loved the writing style. I love authors that force me to sit with a dictionary by my side and Evans certainly did expand my knowledge. I am going to look for more of his books.

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason forensic science books make up a not-insignificant chunk of my relaxation reading (that is: 'my brain is dead and I need something light to read...hmm...are there any nonfiction books about dead bodies at hand?'). Blood on the Table is unusual in that category in that it's not one person's story: rather, it's an overview of NYC's medical examiner system, the (extensive) politics therein, and some of the bigger cases that various chief medical examiners faced.

It's definitely more politics than I'm interested in (file under Jobs I Never Knew I Didn't Want), though some of the ins and outs are a bit mind-boggling. Take the British pathologist who is a side note in the book but 'might have performed more autopsies than anyone else in history—well over one hundred thousand by his own calculation' (94). Say he had a sixty-year career—that's 1,667 autopsies per year, or 4.5 per day if he literally never took a day off. If we give him a six-day work week and two weeks of holiday every year, that's 5.7 autopsies per workday.

Aiiii.

Other minor takeaways:

'Helper's sole consolation...was the knowledge that his students, rigorously trained in the toughest school anywhere, would help spread the OCME doctrine of ME-based crime investigation in those states that still clung on to the coroner system. Incredibly, of these, only Louisiana and Ohio restricted their candidates to physicians. In North Carolina, for instance, applicants for the post of coroner merely had to be persons who "had not denied the being of Almighty God or participated in a duel."' (133)

'Any citizen who becomes aware of the death of any person is required by law to report that death to the local police precinct, which notifies the chief medical examiner. If a person dies in a city hospital or institution, and his body is not claimed within twenty-four hours, the Department of Hospitals is authorized to allow his burial at potter's field.' (142)

[Dan Stern · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book’s main focus is New York City’s Office of the Chief Examiner (OCME). Although the OCME was created after the First World War to investigate suspicious deaths in New York City, the author begins his story well before that and explains how the old coroner system worked along with its many shortcomings. He describes the birth and evolution of the OCME with much attention devoted to the various persons who were placed in charge of that office. Peppered throughout this story are captivating renditions of some of the OCME’s most fascinating cases, including that office’s involvement in the victim identification process in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Throughout this organization’s story, it is made clear how politics and professional relationships have and continue to play such an important role.

As is usual for me when reading books by this gifted author, and I have read many, I found it almost impossible to put down. The author’s prose, as usual, is not only clear and extremely lively, but also very witty and immensely captivating, easily surpassing, in my view, many of the best crime novels. I believe that anyone can thoroughly enjoy this fascinating book, especially true crime story enthusiasts.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

For almost a century, New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has presided over the dead. Over the years, the OCME has endured everything-political upheavals, ghastly murders, bloody gang wars, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and non-stop battles for power and influence-and remains the final authority in cases of sudden, unexplained, or violent death.
Founded in 1918, the OCME has evolved over decades of technological triumphs and all-too human failure to its modern-day incarnation as the foremost forensics lab in the world, investigating an average caseload of over 15,000 suspicious deaths a year. This is the behind-the-scenes chronicle of public service and private vendettas, of blood in the streets and back-room bloodbaths, and of the criminal cases that made history and headlines.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3'5
I enjoyed it a lot. This book gave me an insight about how the OCME evolved and became what it is today. You can see how they part from an absolutely corrupted and incompetent system to the completely opposite. You can also see how new forensic technics appeared and were incorporated to crime investigation. If you are waiting for some mind-blowing or shocking cases this book is not for you. I lowered its rate because sometimes i felt like some chapters were never going to finish (I'm not a big fan of long chapters).

[Anna Engel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really the history of the men who have run New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Each chapter had long discussions of the politics associated with the OCME—as well as who hated who, who deserved the position, who was most successful in the position. Each chapter also includes a "case file," which was really the bit that I was interested in. They were fascinating and earned the book an extra star.

[Allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh… if you want a book full of minute details about the history of OCME, apparently everyone who’s worked there, their childhood and their political careers, you’ve come to the right place. Idk why, but this book makes even the details of forensic cases sound boring. It’s like a history textbook that’s is pretending to be a true crime novel. I feel the title and description of the book is misleading.

[Nino Sforza-Polo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waiting to read what happens next

I confess that I like a good read that connects science, crime, and truth. This book connected all in a fresh, fast-paced narrative that is fact-filled but not overwhelming.

[Melissa Loucks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more of a history of the ME office than the cases.

[Kristy Oman · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a chronological history of the NY Office of Chief Medical Examiner and the people who have held that position and less actual cases, but still an interesting read.

[Magdalene Choong · Rating 3 out of 5]

More CME politics than blood on the table.

[Kat Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a brilliant book - can't wait to read more of his books.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting learning about the history of the OCME for New York and some of the cases from its' inception. Wouldn't say it's a "must-read" or a favorite book by any means, but interesting history.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to get into this one because it's a little dry to read before bedtime, but once I got into it, the book was a great read. Evans takes readers on a journey through the history of the New York OCME, presenting a case or two that was significant during the time each Chief Medical Examiner served. There is also 'filler' about the politics and rise of the office from being put together in an effort to eliminate the corrupt borough coroner system to its post 9/11 status a one of the foremost forensics programs in the nation. Normally, I don't care for filler, and it was the filler that kept me from getting into the book right away, but in this instance, knowing the background of what was going on in the office at the time of each case helped frame it properly.
Evans references a couple of his earlier books which dealt with similar topics, and one, 'Killer Doctors' I had on my 'To-Read' list, but now that I've read this one, I moved it to the top, as I already have a background on some of the individuals in 'Killer Doctors', so reading them sequentially makes sense. Evans definitely made this book interesting, and I have high hopes for 'Doctors'.

[Joshua Emil · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Taceant colloquia. Effugiat risus. Hic locus est ubi mores gaudet succurrere" According to the book, it is roughly translated as: "Let idle talk be silenced. Let laughter be banished. Here is the place where death delights to succor life." Those are the sentences that will welcome you upon entering the lobby of the M.E.'s office. For 94 years, the New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had investigated numerous suspicious deaths. Starting from the growing city in 1918 to the September 11, 2001 attacks, the office continues to prove itself as the most advanced medico-legal facility in the United States. Colin Evans showed cases that defined the Medical Examiner's Office. The cases that made or broke the M.E.'s office were shown with good detail. The colloquialism showed gave a comprehensive understanding of the O.C.M.E.'s history and cases with background. A highly recommended book for those entering the profession of law, pathology or public safety.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book at a used book sale and was intrigued by the title. This book is about the origins of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in NYC. The author goes in depth to write about the early days of autopsies where competing pathologists fought over a body. I only read a third of this book however, because the author gets sidetracked and goes off on tangents which is disconcerting. Most of this book, though, is politics, and the medical examiners sidling up to the mayor and trying to get more money. I get that this is part of the job, but do we really need to read about political figures jostling each other for that coveted job. If you like forensics with a slice of politics, this is your book. Otherwise stick with other authors.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book alternates between describing the life and times of the chief medical officers through the history of the OCME, and some of its famous cases, and how those CMEs influenced the handling of those cases, all the way up to the trade centre terrorist attacks in 2001.

however, I didnt feel i got everything i wanted or expected from this. personally i enjoyed the stories of the cases far more than the description of events around the office, but having said that it was still an enjoyable read.

the author has done a great job of keeping the book informative and interesting, and i agree with another reviewer in saying that the book is quite charming.

[Edith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a history of the office of Medical Examiner for New York City. The material is fascinating, but the author's prose is somewhat wearing in his attempts to be cleverly dramatic. For example: "Samuel L. Leibowitz might have lacked Clarence Darrow's campaigning zeal against the wrongs of society, and some picky souls might have grumbled that his client list was a tad top heavy with gangland luminaries, but when it came to getting people acquitted against the odds, the feisty New Yorker was unbeatable."

[Anne Samachson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating account of the history of the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), which has managed to be the world's leading forensic facility despite the antics of corrupt coroners, the machinations of grasping politicians, and the best efforts of scheming outlaws. This lively tale explains how OCME -- which rests squarely at the intersection of crime and science -- was formed and developed, describes the colorful personalities who have led it, and details some of its most notable cases.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read. Brings the history and some significant cases of New York's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to life in 3D and Technicolor. Very glad I stumbled across it. One flaw is that the author keeps referring you to this or that chapter to read about a specific case, and there's no discussion of that case, there or anywhere else. Surely that could have been fixed before the book went to press.

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of the New York City's medical examiner office from the days when coroner was appointed (or elected) by Tammany Hall through to September 11th, this book chronicles alot of the famous cases that have come through the OCME (Office of the City Medical Examiner) and the growth and development of modern criminal forensics.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the title is slightly misleading, in so much that the cases are but a part of a story that focused more on the NYC medical examiner office and the men in charge, it was informative and generally entertaining. I was expecting a little more in the way of famous cases, but overall I wasn't disappointed, and there were amusing (and horrifying) incidents.

[dejah_thoris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good blend of the backstage drama and history of the New York OCME combined with breakthrough forensic science cases that illustrate both the history of the field and the origin of specific techniques and procedures. Very readable for the layperson. Will definitely be reading the rest of this author's oeuvre.

[Ermabom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I also realized that Linda Fairstein might have used one of the cases described in this book as the basis for one of her books. There was a lot of similarity in the circumstances of the case.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

top notch entertainment charting the history of forensic science through history of New York City back to the Revolution through the tragedy of 9/11 illustrated by in depth case histories and personalities of the Chief Medical Examiners that led the teams over the year.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting history of the NYC medical office.

[Heather]

Very Informative, but poorly organized. I just couldn't stick through the whole thing.

[Dr Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a weirdly charming book about the history of the Chief Medical Examiner's office in NYC. Great if you love the city!