Halloween Forensics - Vampirism: A Myth Based on Real Pathology?

Forensic pathologist Dr. Darin Wolfe and autopsy technician Jessie Bones discuss the folklore and mythology of vampires; how real world diseases may have correlated and contributed to these stories that have been told for centuries, inspiring literary and film archetypes such as Dracula and Nosferatu.   Find Dr. Wolfe and Jessie on Instagram:
@the_dead_letter
@_jessiebones_ Find Dr. Wolfe's YouTube Channel: 
@knifeafterdeath.drwolfe For any questions for Dr. Wolfe or submissions for Q&A episodes please email producer Jessie Bones at [email protected]

Dr. Wolfe explains how the term “cardiac arrest” has different definitions depending on who is using it, and how this affects the certification of death. 

Dr. Wolfe speaks for ~30 minutes on what is found at the time of #autopsy when a person is suspected to have died of a #seizure or SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy). 

Dr. Wolfe discusses what is known about the #micamiller case from the perspective of the #medicalexaminer. This podcast contains information that is publicly available through media reports as of 05-22-24. This information is translated for public understanding.  If and when additional information becomes available from the forensic investigation, a new podcast will be made for a part 2. 

Dr. Wolfe discusses some aspects of the death of OJ Simpson and addresses rumors (of CTE) that immediately followed. 

Dr. Wolfe does a brief overview of why drowning is not as easy to diagnose as it might seem. Many circumstantial, anatomical, physiological, and pathological elements must come together for this diagnosis, which is sometimes a diagnosis of exclusion for which there are no pathognomonic (specific, diagnostic) findings.

Dr. Wolfe briefly discusses the speculation surrounding Princess Kate’s recent announcement and provides opinion on guidelines for discussing such public cases. Dr. Wolfe speaks from his experience as a surgical pathologist and creator in medical social media. As experts, we must balance the temptation to make guesses about what could be happening with the health of public figures while also keeping the public informed.

Dr. Wolfe examines the complex phenomenon encountered by death investigators in which an accident may appear like foul play at the scene of death. Emphasis must be placed on the context of such deaths, and not immediately equating a bloody and/or traumatic death scene with homicide. 

A re-upload of an episode from 3-9-2024. I had to re-upload in MP3 format. 

Re-Upload of a podcast I put up on March 4, 2024. I had to re-upload to MP3 format.