Hey DeeDee.
I had a question for you ..... is brain weight mentioned in any of the material you have read, or does CW use this percentage to plump his theory?
I've been rereading archived headlines, re Cyril Wecht and Globe.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...IBAJ&pg=6725,9946767&dq=jonbenet+ramsey&hl=en
The August 14, 1997 article,
'Corroner releases JonBenet Ramsey autopsy
Wecht concludes she was strangled during a sexual game, with later head injury to mislead on cause of death':
Wecht believes the Ramsey girl went into shock and died during the "sex game" while the cord was wrapped around her neck.
"At that point it was a dead 6-year-old girl. What do you do? You simulate a violent intruder." Wecht said.
JonBenet also had an 8-inch fracture in her skull and her brain was significantly swollen, making it 15 percent heavier than the normal weight of a brain for a 6-year old, Wecht said. If the head wound had occured first, she would have died within a matter of minutes, he said.
However, the autopsy results show there was very little blood in the cranial cavity, which houses the brain, an indication that JonBenet's
heart was beating very slowly or not at all when the injury to the head occured, he said.
"If I'm right in my scenario in that the neck ligature was applied first and that this sexual game or perversion was going on, then the head injury was inflicted later," Wecht said.
Dr. Wecht makes certain assumptions to bolster his opinion:
bbm
http://www.wpxi.com/news/16838417/detail.html
PITTSBURGH
--
Pittsburgh forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht responded to news that prosecutors have cleared JonBenet Ramsey's parents and brother in her murder.
The Boulder District Attorney said a new DNA test points to a mysterious outsider.
That test found skins [sic] cells on JonBenet's leggings that match a drop of blood found on her underwear.
"The fact that this other DNA was found at this time matches previous DNA which was thought to be a contaminant does not then alter the picture," said Wecht.
Wecht was not involved in the criminal investigation of the Ramsey murder but he reviewed all the evidence and eventually wrote a book about the case.
“Every male at the coroner's office, who may have touched the body, have they been tested for DNA, have comparisons been made with each and everyone of those people,” questioned Wecht.
'Contaminant' as in intentionally or unintentionally deposited from someone outside of the crime scene (house) or from anyone not involved in the crime.
It is possible, but ...
A valid question is, why was the 'previously-found' DNA thought to be contaminant material?
How many DNA labs maintain DNA records of their employees so that they might if necessary, rule out contamination from within?
Yes, some horror stories are floating around regarding DNA labs, but what we do not know is if lab employees were ruled out.
But ..
Would the lab allow an egregious error (lab contamination) stand for 9 years .. and then present additional DNA evidence that matches the previous sample, knowing full well the results could be compared against previous and existing lab employees DNA?
Nonsensical. I don't believe the lab would do so.
Dr. Wecht said it's difficult for him to believe an outsider would have known about the hidden room in the basement, would have left no other evidence, that he would write a ransom note then leave the body behind. Wecht says none of this explains evidence of previous sexual abuse on JonBenet's body.
The Room ("wine cellar")
The "wine cellar" room is not a "hidden" room, in the true sense of the word. A hallway leads to a door that opens to the room. Would a bathroom accessible only from within a bedroom be considered a "hidden" room?
No Other Evidence
Duct tape and nylon or polyester or whatever-material cord were left behind. They're in evidence.
If Wecht meant "DNA" evidence the article did not indicate as such but it is not impossible for a perp to leave minimal-to-no DNA material. The perp could have worn gloves, a wool cap, whatever.
Ransom Note ("RN")
I believe Wecht conflicts his own argument ..
Wecht stated he believed it was an "accidental" death.
If the perp composed the RN before the "accident" but was not prepared to transport a completely limp lifeless body that would soon begin to decompose and emit putrid aroma, why would he take it? I also do not believe he would risk retrieving the RN from the stairs .. he simply would leave.
Previous Sexual Abuse
Previous sexual abuse, if it did occur, does not preclude what occurred that evening regardless of it was the same person involved with previous or not.
JonBenet’s father, Jon Ramsey, told police he carried her body upstairs after finding her so Wecht wondered where is his DNA? "How is it possible that some DNA of his did not get on her body and her clothing in that kind of transfer. Think about that," said Wecht.
JonBenet had been strangled and bludgeoned, when her body was found in the basement of the family home in Boulder on Dec. 26, 1996. Her mother, Patsy Ramsey, said she found a ransom note demanding $118,000 for her daughter.
JR Carries JBR Form The Basement
Is Wecht implying there
must be JR DNA on the body? It is reported (by some in this forum) JR held JBR's body away from his as he carried it (decay smell too strong?).
It also is reported (by some in this forum) fibers consistent with JR's shirt were found on the clothing or body, so that "kind of transfer" should satisfy Wecht's concern?
Dr. Wecht is a an extremely experienced forensic pathologist and coroner. Experience is progressively useful during a person's career but also can be a hinderance, i.e.: tunnel vision, especially during the latter periods of a long career.
"Typical", "Common" and "Usual" .. all well and good and applicable overall but those categories might not allow for the "Atypical", "Uncommon" and Unusual" to be properly perceived and prosecuted.
