Derek Medina "Facebook Murder" Trial Day 7 Part 3 11/19/15 (Partial) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Autopsy expert disagrees with the medical examiner's opinion on the trajectory of gunshot wounds in the Jennifer Alfonso case.

Key Insights

• 🥺 Autopsy experts may hold differing opinions on wound origins and trajectories, leading to discrepancies in forensic conclusions.
• ❓ Proper procedures, such as the timing of dowel insertions, are crucial in maintaining accurate autopsy results.
• 🍃 Gunshot wounds can leave stippling that extends in different directions, making it challenging to determine the exact path of a bullet.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How does the expert's opinion differ from the medical examiner's opinion on wound 19?

The expert believes that the bullet from wound 19 was recovered from the incision in Jennifer Alfonso's back, while the medical examiner stated that it originated from gunshot wound three, which was under her neck.

Q: Why does the expert criticize the use of dowels in the autopsy?

The expert explains that dowels should only be inserted after the dissection to avoid altering the trajectory of the bullet. They were likely inserted before the bullet was removed, potentially creating a wrong track.

Q: How does the expert explain the bullet found under the rug?

The expert speculates that the bullet may have hit the cabinet door, gone through it, and ended up under the rug. Alternatively, it could have hit the door, bounced on the ground, and then been found under the rug.

Q: What is the significance of the stippling mentioned in the autopsy report?

The stippling, or pattern of powder burns, indicates close contact between the firearm and the skin. The expert agrees with the autopsy report that stippling could have come from other gunshot wounds, not just wound number three.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Autopsy expert disputes the medical examiner's opinion on the origin and trajectory of a bullet recovered from Jennifer Alfonso's back.

• The expert criticizes the use of dowels in the autopsy, stating that they should only be inserted after the dissection.

• The expert suggests that a bullet recovered from under a rug could have hit a cabinet door and ricocheted, contradicting the prosecution's theory.