Mayhem in the Morgue | Exposure (Part 3): The Nuclear Option

If you ever suspect a chemical or toxin exposure, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate assistance.

Content Warning: This episode contains information about the deaths of individuals. If you’re sensitive to this topic, this episode may not be for you.

In this third installment of Exposure, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns explains the chemical hazards that accompany autopsy work. From formaldehyde used in specimen preservation to tear gas and pepper spray residues that cling to clothing and skin, each substance carries the potential for secondary exposure. He recounts several cases that demonstrate how these agents behave once they reach the morgue, including a fatal standoff involving riot-controlled chemicals and a man who coated himself with insecticide in an attempt to kill mosquitoes. These stories illustrate how chemical contamination can extend beyond the deceased.

If you missed the first two episodes in this series, listen to Mayhem in the Morgue | Exposure (Part 1) and Exposure (Part 2): "TB or Not TB, That Is the Question."

Highlights

• (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns

• (0:30) Common chemical exposures in the morgue and how they occur

• (1:15) Formaldehyde management, long-term irritation, and what happens when an allergy develops mid-career

• (3:00) Chemical hazards linked to meth labs, riot control, and suicide scenes

• (3:45) Tear gas and pepper spray: how they're made, used, and why they're so difficult to clean from skin and clothing

• (6:45) A standoff ends in tear gas contamination and a challenging autopsy

• (8:45) Decontamination becomes an exercise in improvisation, with fans, Dawn dish soap, and a forgotten cookout grill• (11:45) “The Nuclear Option”: a man uses insecticide to fight mosquitoes

• (14:30) Accidental splash, rising symptoms, and malathion exposure

• (18:30) Poison control, the antidote, and the dinner Dr. Crowns never forgot

• (24:15) Reflections on safety, recovery, and the lasting legend of “Splashy” the technician

About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns

Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange, grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology.

About the Show

Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom. Expect gallows humor, hard truths, and unforgettable investigations.

Connect and Learn More

Learn more about Dr. Kendall Crowns on Linkedin. Catch him regularly on Crime Stories with Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts.

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