Post Mortem - Death Investigation In America | Video | FRONTLINE

In collaboration with the Investigative Reporting Program at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and California Watch.

Death Investigation in America

EMBED VIDEO BUY THE DVD

The Real CSIHow America's patchwork system of death investigation puts the living at risk Second ChancesUnderscoring a flawed system, one pathologist leaves a trail of scandals in his wake RELATED REPORTThe Child CasesWhat happens when a child dies under suspicious circumstances?

Stories

Introduction | The Latest

Things to Know Before You Go Why get an autopsy? What goes on the death certificate?
Map: Death in America | Interviews | Chat with the Reporters
Questions in New Orleans (From the Times-Picayune)

Popular television shows portray death investigators as high-tech sleuths wielding the most sophisticated tools of 21st century science. An unprecedented collaborative investigation by FRONTLINE, ProPublica and NPR found a very different reality: A dysfunctional system in which there are few standards, little oversight and the mistakes are literally buried. In state after state, reporters found autopsies -- our final physical exam -- conducted by doctors who lacked certification and training. An increasing number of the 2.5 million Americans who die each year go to the grave without being examined at all. More »

Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and by Reva and David Logan. Additional funding is provided by the Park Foundation and by the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund. Major funding for FRONTLINE’s expanded broadcast season is provided by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

FRONTLINE Journalism Fund - Support Investigative Reporting

COMMENTS

blog comments powered by Disqus

In order to foster a civil and literate discussion that respects all participants, FRONTLINE has the following guidelines for commentary. By submitting comments here, you are consenting to these rules:

Readers' comments that include profanity, obscenity, personal attacks, harassment, or are defamatory, sexist, racist, violate a third party's right to privacy, or are otherwise inappropriate, will be removed. Entries that are unsigned or are "signed" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. We reserve the right to not post comments that are more than 400 words. We will take steps to block users who repeatedly violate our commenting rules, terms of use, or privacy policies. You are fully responsible for your comments.

posted February 1, 2011

FRONTLINE home page | Privacy Policy | Journalistic Guidelines | PBS Privacy Policy | PBS Terms of Use

SUPPORT PROVIDED BY