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American Autopsy

One Medical Examiner's Decades-Long Fight for Racial Justice in a Broken Legal System

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Dr. Michael Baden has been involved in some of the most high-profile civil rights and police brutality cases in United States history, from the government's 1976 re-investigation of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., to the 2014 death of Michael Brown, whose case sparked the initial Ferguson protests that grew into the Black Lives Matter movement.

The playbook hasn't changed since 1979, when Dr. Baden was demoted from his job as New York City's Chief Medical Examiner after ruling that the death of a Black man in police custody was a homicide.

So in 2020 when the Floyd family, wary of the same system that oversaw George Floyd's death, needed a second opinion—Dr. Baden is who they called.

In this book, Dr. Baden chronicles his six decades on the front lines of the fight for accountability within the legal system.

In the process, he brings to life the political issues that go on in the wake of often unrecorded fatal police encounters and the standoff between law enforcement and those they are sworn to protect.

Full of behind-the-scenes drama and surprising revelations, American Autopsy is both timely and crucial for this turning point in our nation's history.

©2023 Michael Baden and Linda Kenney Baden, LLC (P)2023 Tantor Social Sciences Crime Law Social justice Civil rights
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American Autopsy: One Medical Examiner's Decades-Long Fight for Racial Justice in a Broken Legal System" is a book that is as compelling as it is enlightening. From the very first page, it immerses the reader in a world where facts and forensic evidence paint a vivid picture of the often-overlooked aspects of the American legal system. The author's detailed accounts of various cases are not only thoroughly researched but are presented in a manner that makes complex medical and legal concepts accessible to all readers. What makes this book stand out is the depth of its case studies. The author doesn't shy away from delving into intricate details, which adds a layer of authenticity and credibility to the narrative. These cases are not just stories; they are real-life events that highlight the intersection of medicine, law, and racial justice. The author's expertise as a medical examiner shines through, offering unique insights that are both educational and deeply fascinating. However, the book does take occasional detours into the author's personal and family life. While these sections provide a break from the intensity of the medical and legal discussions, they can feel somewhat less engaging in comparison. That said, these personal anecdotes do contribute to the narrative by painting a more holistic picture of the author's life and motivations. They help the reader understand the person behind the professional, adding a human element to a book that could otherwise have been very clinical.

A Thought-Provoking Journey

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