# Ask the forensic pathologist - or, Last chance to pontificate **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 31, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724 "2006-03-31T17:51:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/41 "2006-03-31T21:21:12Z")
> [@Hal Briston](#): > > Well, the local PathMark had a “buy-one get-one” sale on these massive tubs of Shedd’s Spread Country Crock this week. Now we’ve got about a year’s supply, so I could part with one of the tubs if it’ll get **gabriela** to stick around. > > In other words: Join up, damnit! I think I’m honored at being addressed by the great Hal Briston, but the Shedd’s context makes me a little … uncomfortable. Sir, could you address my question, above, of how one signs off as a guest from a work account, and signs on as a paying member from a home account with the same Straight Dope name? Also, would it be all right if I just did an autopsy on the goat? I’m not much for, um. Parties. Year’s supply of Shedd’s. That kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/42 "2006-03-31T21:21:47Z")
> [@gabriela](#): > > You ever read the 500-plus brief replies to the descriptions of 24 on the Dave Barry Blog? Can’t say that I have…I’m afraid to. That would limit my time here! > [@](#): > > (uh - is it done to refer to other blogs on this the Almightiest of All Message Boards, particularly if the other blog is mere entertainment?) Yeah. It’s ok as long as you’re not dragging some drama around. Heck, sometimes that’s where we get our best entertainment. > [@](#): > > His Daveness seems to unite a sincere addiction to 24 with a queasy disbelief in his own sincere addiction to 24. HA! I did NOT know that! That makes me feel tons better, since yesterday I found out that I share my obsession with Rush Limbaugh, and I think he’s a pompous windbag. “Pompous Windbag” being of course the worst insult I could afford him in MPSIMS, but if this were the pit, I’d do worse…if I gave enough of a shit. 😃 > [@](#): > > Schedule the intervention now. Obviously. Hot DOG!! So glad we could convince you! So people, what day is good for you? Have you got time for an intervention say, June of 2009? ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/43 "2006-03-31T21:29:18Z")
I heven’t been that long so my opinion doesn’t carry the weight of a 99 'r but persons of your experience don’t grow on trees you know ! I particularly enjoyed your post in > **[The most ridiculous thing you've ever heard from a customer](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=362838)** > > I just reposted this story about a week ago. It was orginally posted six years ago, back when I used to sell satellite dishes. I’m at work. The phone rings, I answer, and this woman starts talking about how her satellite won’t work. Me: “What’s the... Give it some thought – you would be missed ~ ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/44 "2006-03-31T21:29:41Z")
> [@gabriela](#): > > … could you address my question, above, of how one signs off as a guest from a work account, and signs on as a paying member from a home account with the same Straight Dope name? > … . I nonestly don’t see that there is a problem there. Go to home computer, sign on using your name and password … pay money … then you are a member from whatever computer you happen to be using. ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/45 "2006-03-31T21:51:20Z")
> [@Omegaman](#): > > I heven’t been that long so my opinion doesn’t carry the weight of a 99 'r but persons of your experience don’t grow on trees you know ! I particularly enjoyed your post in > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=362838](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=362838) > > Give it some thought – you would be missed ~ I am getting a swelled head. ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/46 "2006-03-31T21:52:35Z")
> [@Celyn](#): > > . > > I nonestly don’t see that there is a problem there. Go to home computer, sign on using your name and password … pay money … then you are a member from whatever computer you happen to be using. Um… password? No password for guests. It just recognizes me when I open up the Dope. Welcome, Gabriela, you were last here too goddamn recently, what the hell are you doing here again, looking for more compliments? ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/47 "2006-03-31T21:53:43Z")
> [@Faruiza](#): > > Hot DOG!! So glad we could convince you! > So people, what day is good for you? Have you got time for an intervention say, June of 2009? Tease. How about June of 2006. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/48 "2006-03-31T21:56:52Z")
> [@gabriela](#): > > Has anybody ever signed off as a guest from one account, and tried to sign on as a paying member from another account with the guest name? How does one go about doing that? I cannot sign up from work. Pay up from the work machine, using your credit card; you will then be a member, and can sign in from any machine. I’ve left myself signed in on both my work and home machines (could someone remind me to log out from here next Friday before I quit? I don’t need no stinkin’ ovine rep around here…), and it’s not a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/49 "2006-03-31T22:02:45Z")
What is the general view of you and your colleagues on Dr. Michael Baden? He seems to be the one forensic pathologist who is a household name. ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/50 "2006-03-31T22:06:02Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Pay up from the work machine, using your credit card; you will then be a member, and can sign in from any machine. I’ve left myself signed in on both my work and home machines (could someone remind me to log out from here next Friday before I quit? I don’t need no stinkin’ ovine rep around here…), and it’s not a problem. Uh, Great One, I will be in mucho trouble if I pay up from the work machine. We are not supposed to get our credit cards anywhere near these accounts. A number of employees were fired last year for shopping. Alternate suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/51 "2006-03-31T22:07:58Z")
> [@Jackknifed Juggernaut](#): > > What is the general view of you and your colleagues on Dr. Michael Baden? He seems to be the one forensic pathologist who is a household name. I can’t answer that in public. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/52 "2006-03-31T22:15:47Z")
> [@gabriela](#): > > Uh, Great One, I will be in mucho trouble if I pay up from the work machine. We are not supposed to get our credit cards anywhere near these accounts. A number of employees were fired last year for shopping. > > Alternate suggestions? Try logging in from home this weekend and see what happens. I think it’s possible you did create a password and just don’t remember it. ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/53 "2006-03-31T22:18:23Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Try logging in from home this weekend and see what happens. I think it’s possible you did create a password and just don’t remember it. Thanks, I will. Hey, I’m almost getting used to having you address me. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/54 "2006-03-31T22:22:54Z")
> [@gabriela](#): > > Thanks, I will. > Hey, I’m almost getting used to having you address me. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/55 "2006-03-31T22:49:31Z")
Log in from home using gabriela and your password (if you don’t remember your password you can ask it to be emailed to you when you are signing in). Once you sign in click on subscribe at the top menu and voila. My offer still stands to sponsor you, if you let me have the honor you will have to email me your username and password, once I pay I’ll email you back and you can change your password to something else. Thanks for staying. We need smart people like you here to serve as a balance to people like me. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2006, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/56 "2006-03-31T23:08:46Z")
**gabriela** , pleased to meet you. And now that I’ve got the butter-gun all filled up and pressurized, you go and make it unecessary. Rats. Haven’t gotten to lube up anyone since, oh, last nultday. I really don’t have any more questions for you, but I’m glad you’re thinking about staying. This is a fascinating thread - I enjoy the ‘real’ forensic science shows, so having your view is very appealing. (Can’t stand CSI - it irks me too much. I’m not in the field, but I knew enough to see most of the errors you’d mentioned.) On second thought: what was the most surprising case you dealt with? I don’t mean the grossest things you’ve seen, I’m thinking more those things you least expected to find. I’m afraid that the broken rib baby you’d expected to be SIDS might be it, but I’m hoping for a less despressing answer. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2006, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/57 "2006-04-01T00:19:10Z")
And speaking of buttering up: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=363458](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=363458) ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/58 "2006-04-01T00:20:57Z")
And another question, why do forensic experts on CSI interview suspects and offer them deals? Isn’t that the police job and the prosecution? How much interaction do you have with perps, if any? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2006, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/59 "2006-04-01T00:48:46Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > 😛 Geez, **gabriela** , and YOU think you’re getting a swelled head… put that noggin away, twickster. you’re like a freakin grapefruit on a toothpick! ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724/60 "2006-04-01T01:51:02Z")
Is it true that people with an interesting expertise who refuse to sign up on the SD often end up on a pathologist’s table with horrific wounds of unknown origin, generally including tentacle marks and mysterious rays’ burns? Seriously, my niece is seemingly interested in becoming a forensic. Why is it a very good idea? Why is it a very bad idea? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-forensic-pathologist-or-last-chance-to-pontificate/350724.md?page=4)