Topic: Adventures in Real (Not TV) Forensic Pathology

Dr. Wigren will give a light hearted talk about some purported human remains that he received to examine while working at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office in Fort Worth TX. The case spawned a myriad of urban myths, attorney claims, etc. He will also talk about some of his other interesting cases (such as “Hyperthermia: An Unusual Autoerotic Duct Tape Death”) and about the misconceptions of forensic science spawned by all those TV shows where they miraculously get DNA test results back within 24 hours. If you have any questions about things you’ve seen on CSI, here’s your chance to ask them.

About the Speaker

Dr. Carl Wigren is a contract pathologist for both the Skagit County Coroner and the Walla Walla County Coroner. Before becoming a doctor, he taught science and math in secondary schools for 10 years and he holds an MA in Biology Teaching. After medical school and a pathology residency at the University of Washington, he did forensic pathology fellowships at the King County Medical Examiner’s Office in Seattle and at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office in Fort Worth, Texas. He also worked as an Associate Medical Examiner with the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office. He has done research, is a prolific public speaker, and has won many awards.