by Michelle Sparrow | May 17, 2013 | Criminal Law Blog, Homicide
We are still talking about North Carolina’s medical examiners. Testimony given at a recent hearing held by the North Carolina Industrial Commission highlights some of the shortcomings of the current system, and lawmakers are wondering if the state should... by Michelle Sparrow | May 11, 2013 | Criminal Law Blog, Homicide
Imagine being the brother of a woman who died with two friends in a fiery crash. The news itself is devastating. Arranging to have your sister’s remains shipped to your home state is gut-wrenching. The body arrives at the funeral home, where you are asked to... by Michelle Sparrow | May 9, 2013 | Criminal Law Blog, Homicide
We are talking about medical examiners in North Carolina. The medical examiner is the first step in a death investigation, really. As we said in our last post, it is the medical examiner who officially designates a death a suicide or a homicide, a natural or an... by Michelle Sparrow | May 2, 2013 | Criminal Law Blog, Homicide
North Carolina did away with coroners more than 45 years ago. Coroners did not have to have any medical expertise to do their jobs, a shortcoming when it came to investigating causes of death. The state adopted a new system that used medical examiners instead.... by Michelle Sparrow | Dec 14, 2012 | Criminal Law Blog, Homicide
In March 2011, the nation was riveted as the story of a horrific tour bus accident unfolded. The passengers were returning from an all-night gambling outing when the driver apparently dozed off at the wheel. The bus swerved, hit the guardrail, toppled onto its side...