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Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

Baltimore: Sister Cathy's Forensic Reckoning

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast

Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins

True Crime, History, Society & Culture

4.5 β€’ 992 Ratings

πŸ—“οΈ 8 January 2020

⏱️ 29 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In a unique solo episode of Foul Play: Crime Series, "Sister Cathy, The Examiner's Tale, A Forensic Reckoning," Gemma conducts a rare and insightful interview with Dr. Werner Spitz, the renowned forensic pathologist whose expertise has illuminated some of the most challenging cases in recent history. Dr. Spitz's role as the Medical Examiner for Baltimore at the time of Sister Cathy's murder places him in a unique position to revealed the cold facts that speak volumes in silence.

Dr. Spitz examines the grim details of Sister Cathy's murder, providing a careful forensic analysis of the injuries sustained, which not only offer clues to her last moments but also to the possible motives behind this horrendous act. His professional discernment lends a gripping comparison to other high-profile cases he has worked on, including the profound impacts such investigations have had on the judicial process and public consciousness.

Gemma's conversation with Dr. Spitz also works through through the complexities of the medical examiner's office, touching upon the tangled bureaucracy that often hinders or shapes the course of justice. Dr. Spitz offers a critical look at the qualifications and the rigor required of a medical examiner, along with an intimate glimpse into his storied career, from historic assassinations to the most scrutinized criminal trials of our time.

Listeners are privy to a discussion that goes beyond the autopsy table, examining into Dr. Spitz's personal journey and the evolution of forensic pathology over the years. As they discuss his current endeavors, the episode also reflects on the broader implications of forensic work in solving crimes and the ongoing search for truth in Sister Cathy's case.

This episode is an invitation to itsfoulplay.com, where the conversation about Sister Cathy continues, offering a platform for education, discussion, and the pursuit of justice. Gemma's probing dialogue with Dr. Spitz is a profound addition to the series, bridging past and present in the ever-evolving narrative of Sister Cathy's life and legacy. Our Sponsors: * Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com * Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcript

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0:00.0

I'm going to Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Here he is. Oh, sorry, here he is. Hello? Oh, my goodness, I can't believe I'm talking to you.

0:36.8

You may be, might as well believe it.

0:39.1

Dr. Spitz, you're like one of my heroes of all times.

0:45.1

I'm glad of it.

0:47.1

Because of Kathy, but I have watched every single case that's been televised with you and I think you're one of the you're like God to me you're the God of crime.

0:57.8

Thank you very much.

0:58.8

Let's answer your question.

1:00.8

The first question was what are the responsibilities of a medical examiner?

1:06.0

The medical examiner is an appointed position by in most states is an appointed position by a county or a city or a state and it requires

1:19.3

that the medical examiner answer the cold of death, the matter of death, and how an injury occurred. It's very

1:29.7

an injury. The cause of death is simple. The manner of death means whether the death was by side, two sides, natural cause or accident.

1:40.0

And that's an opinion of course and to make it possible to answer as many as possible

1:50.4

cases as coming before the medical examiner, they give you an out, in case you don't know,

1:58.0

or in case you cannot, or whatever, make that determination. So therefore there's a matter of

2:05.1

that can or even a problem of that can be unknown or undeterminable. Okay so when you

2:12.0

were the medical examiner here in Maryland, was it for Baltimore?

2:16.8

No, I was not the medical examiner.

2:18.8

I was the deputy chief medical examiner.

2:21.6

From Maryland, I went to Michigan in 1971 and in 1972 I think it was. Then I came

2:31.5

to Michigan to Detroit through Wayne County. it was

2:35.0

the chief medical examiner.

2:38.0

What's the difference between the chief,

...

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