Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and child death.

The third chapter—written by Grisham—delves into the history, evolution, and misuse of forensic autopsies, ultimately showcasing the disturbing consequences of flawed and unethical forensic practices. The narrative traces the roots of autopsies, from their early use by the Greeks and Romans, to their emergence as a critical tool in criminal investigations by the 19th century, to the establishment of the American Board of Pathology in 1936 to standardize the practice. Despite these advancements, Grisham illustrates how the field became vulnerable to corruption and malpractice through figures like Dr. Steven Hayne and Dr. Michael West, whose actions led to catastrophic miscarriages of justice.

Hayne, nicknamed “The Cadaver King” (62), exploited Mississippi’s fragmented forensic system in the late 20th century to corner the autopsy market. With a staggering volume of cases—at one point claiming to perform up to 2,000 autopsies annually—Hayne operated under questionable circumstances. His small morgue became notorious for unsafe and unsanitary conditions, as bodies were stacked and cross-contamination was common. Though he lacked proper forensic certification, Hayne’s testimony often carried weight in court, largely due to his charm and ability to align findings with prosecution narratives.