A review by jacqui_des
Dead Center: Behind the Scenes at the World's Largest Medical Examiner's Office by Shiya Ribowsky, Tom Shachtman

3.0

[b:Dead Center: Behind the Scenes at the World's Largest Medical Examiner's Office|1982568|Dead Center Behind the Scenes at the World's Largest Medical Examiner's Office|Shiya Ribowsky|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266948684s/1982568.jpg|703050] was not quite what I was expecting. I found the forensic information, exploration of the common myths of forensic science and [a:Shiya Ribowsky|381448|Shiya Ribowsky|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-M-50x66.jpg]'s behind-the-scenes look at the role of PA’s and the working of the ME’s Office incredibly fascinating. However, I found the second half of the book rather tedious, which focused on the identification and information management processes that were implemented in NYC following the 9/11 attacks.

Memorable Quotes

"Death is still, cold, quiet, and gray. Life is moving, warm, noisy, and full of color. The opposite of life is not only death, it is also the absence of joy."

"By the time we get involved with a body, death has come and gone, leaving us with only the empty shell, the abandoned luggage of what was once a human being."

"Death merely heralds the beginning of our work."

"It takes a special kind of fortitude to willingly confront and interact with a rotting body, or one that is cut up into pieces. And it takes a person who understands the social necessity of this act to do it properly."

"Reality is messier, slower, and less dependent on star detectives."

"In cultures different from the United States, suicide is not considered a failure of the courage to face life, but as a legitimate response to certain life situations."

"...the dead always have something to teach the living."