Coroner Stories

As a general rule, I avoid watching Hollywood’s dramatic interpretations of death investigation. I can only assume that physicians have similar issues if or when they watch hospital dramas. The exception to this rule is when I stumble on a crime drama while channel surfing or I’m simply looking for something amusing to watch. To say that writers and directors take liberties with reality is putting it mildly.

These inaccuracies must be the Hollywood equivalent of “anticipated casualties” when the sole intention of any program is to attract and retain viewers. Fortunately for me, these inaccuracies serve as a seemingly unlimited source of writing material for this site.

I plan to use these inaccuracies—and my subsequent issues—in what I anticipate to be a series of segments. I admit this series may be perceived as an extended rant filled with various soapbox issues, but the goal here is to deliver some insight. I certainly don’t expect anything I write here to change the face of television. I fully expect the modern-day crime drama to continue to be successful for years to come. After all, fiction has historically been easier to sell than non-fiction. I prefer the History Channel, but at last check it has yet to eclipse the networks in the prime time ratings.