A review by jenmat1197
Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner by Judy Melinek

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.0

 

This is the story of the author.  As a fellow in forensic pathology, she spent two years in New York City as a medical examiner.  Her tenure started 2 months before 9/11 and carried through the following months that she was involved in the recovery efforts and finally her move to California when she had enough.  Her husband and son by her side, she recounts her day to day work as a medical examiner and then what it was like to work the scene of 9/11.  She gets into the details of what it was like to see bodies in various stages as she learned how to determine cause of death, to speak to families, and to present her findings in court.

This was a great book.  I do have to admit that these kind of books fascinate me, and as a nurse, I am not bothered by the content.  But this book should come with a warning for those who are squeemish.  She gets into the details of bodies as they come to her in the morgue, and especially at the scene of 9/11.  She works the 9/11 scene for 8 months - under harsh conditions where bodies and parts are brought to her as they work to try and identify people.  It will chill you.