Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of infectious disease, autopsy procedures, and workplace exposure. If you’re sensitive to these topics, this episode may not be for you.



In the morgue, danger doesn’t end when the heart stops beating. In this second installment of Exposure, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts two life-threatening encounters with invisible hazards that linger within the morgue. From a chance exposure to meningococcal meningitis that turned a friendly chat into a medical emergency, to a tuberculosis case that nearly landed him on a delinquent-patient arrest list, Dr. Crowns reveals the real-world risks faced by medical examiners who work at the edge of science and safety. Part science lesson, part cautionary tale, this episode exposes the ongoing threat of infectious disease and the discipline required to work among it.



If you missed the first episode in this series, listen to Mayhem in the Morgue | Exposure (Part 1)



Highlights

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

• (0:30) Recap of Exposure (Part 1) and an introduction to autopsy hazards

• (1:30) Case 1: Meningococcus: a deadly bacterium and a moment of exposure

• (3:45) The friend, the mask, and the realization that came too late

• (6:00) Preventive treatment and a lasting reminder to always wear PPE

• (6:45) Case 2: Tuberculosis: an ancient pathogen meets modern medicine

• (8:00) The resident-year autopsy that led to lifelong TB exposure

• (13:15) Public health protocols, medications, and unexpected consequences

• (21:00) A near-arrest for missing a medication pickup after his daughter's birth



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 Storieswith Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts.



If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself—follow the show, share it with afriend, and leave us a review.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of infectious disease,&nbsp;autopsy procedures, and workplace exposure. If you&rsquo;re sensitive to these topics, this&nbsp;episode may not be for you. 
In the morgue, danger doesn&rsquo;t end when the heart stops beating. In this second installment&nbsp;of Exposure, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns recounts two life-threatening&nbsp;encounters with invisible hazards that linger within the morgue. From a chance exposure&nbsp;to meningococcal meningitis that turned a friendly chat into a medical emergency, to a&nbsp;tuberculosis case that nearly landed him on a delinquent-patient arrest list, Dr. Crowns&nbsp;reveals the real-world risks faced by medical examiners who work at the edge of science&nbsp;and safety. Part science lesson, part cautionary tale, this episode exposes the ongoing&nbsp;threat of infectious disease and the discipline required to work among it. 
If you missed the first episode in this series, listen to Mayhem in the Morgue | Exposure&nbsp;(Part 1) 
Highlights
&bull; (0:00) Welcome to Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns
&bull; (0:30) Recap of Exposure (Part 1) and an introduction to autopsy hazards
&bull; (1:30) Case 1: Meningococcus: a deadly bacterium and a moment of exposure
&bull; (3:45) The friend, the mask, and the realization that came too late
&bull; (6:00) Preventive treatment and a lasting reminder to always wear PPE
&bull; (6:45) Case 2: Tuberculosis: an ancient pathogen meets modern medicine
&bull; (8:00) The resident-year autopsy that led to lifelong TB exposure
&bull; (13:15) Public health protocols, medications, and unexpected consequences
&bull; (21:00) A near-arrest for missing a medication pickup after his daughter's birth 
About the Host: Dr. Kendall Crowns
Dr. Crowns is the Chief Medical Examiner for Travis County, Texas, and a nationally&nbsp;recognized forensic pathologist. He las led death investigations in Travis County, Fort&nbsp;Worth, Chicago, and Kansas. Over his career, he has performed thousands of autopsies&nbsp;and testified in court hundreds of times as an expert witness. A frequent contributor to&nbsp;Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Dr. Crowns brings unparalleled insight into the strange,&nbsp;grisly, and sometimes absurd realities of forensic pathology. 
About the Show
Mayhem in the Morgue takes listeners inside the bloody, bizarre, and often unbelievable&nbsp;world of forensic pathology. Hosted by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns, each&nbsp;episode delivers real-life cases from the morgue, the crime scene, and the courtroom.&nbsp;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 Storieswith Nancy Grace and follow Mayhem in the Morgue where you get your podcasts. 
If you liked this episode, don&rsquo;t keep it to yourself&mdash;follow the show, share it with afriend, and leave us a review.

It's chaos, blood and body parts. Join Dr. Kendall Crowns each week as he discusses stories and cases from his over 35-year journey of death from the tornado alley of Kansas, the bloody Memphis shoreline of the muddy Mississippi river, the ultra-violence of Chicago, and finally the Methamphetamine fueled insanity of Texas -- encompassing his days as an autopsy tech, medical student, resident/fellow and finally as a medical examiner. Stories range from humorous to horrifying and cover a wide variety of topics from week to week. You will never know what you will hear, be it courtroom drama, decapitations, gangland shootings, feet with no body, or chihuahuas feasting on the flesh of decomposing bodies. The cases will never end. It will always be different and there is never a dull moment. So, tune in each week and climb aboard, your nightmares will never be the same

It's chaos, blood and body parts. Join Dr. Kendall Crowns each week as he discusses stories and cases from his over 35-year journey of death from the tornado alley of Kansas, the bloody Memphis shoreline of the muddy Mississippi river, the ultra-violence of Chicago, and finally the Methamphetamine fueled insanity of Texas -- encompassing his days as an autopsy tech, medical student, resident/fellow and finally as a medical examiner. Stories range from humorous to horrifying and cover a wide variety of topics from week to week. You will never know what you will hear, be it courtroom drama, decapitations, gangland shootings, feet with no body, or chihuahuas feasting on the flesh of decomposing bodies. The cases will never end. It will always be different and there is never a dull moment. So, tune in each week and climb aboard, your nightmares will never be the same

Mayhem in the Morgue with Dr. Kendall Crowns

Mayhem in the Morgue | Exposure (Part 2) “TB or Not TB, That Is the Question”

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8f7b0d2f-c33c-4733-a32b-b3a5017512e4/transcript