Joshua Perper
Encyclopedia
Dr. Joshua Perper is a forensic pathologist and Chief Medical Examiner in Broward County (Fort Lauderdale area) in the United States
who has gained both national and international notice for his work on several high profile autopsies.
, Romania
and he escaped the Nazis during World War II and, following the war, the Russians. At the age of 18, moved to Israel, graduating from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Faculty of Medicine (medical school) in 1960 and Faculty of Law (law school) in 1966. In 1969, he finished post graduate studies in forensic pathology
at Johns Hopkins University
. He served as Associate Medical Examiner, Senior Research Fellow
and then Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, Maryland from 1969 to 1971. Between 1971 and 1994, while living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, Perper was a toxicologist and then Chief Forensic Pathologist in the Allegheny County Coroner's Office (now called the Medical Examiner's Office), serving under Cyril Wecht
. As a result of legal problems for Wecht, Perper succeeded him as Coroner, which at the time was an elected position. Perper's career in Pittsburgh was interrupted in 1980 when Perper got into a shoving match in front of TV cameras http://cassandra2004.blogspot.com/2007/02/anna-nicole-smith-lew-burdette-joshua.html with Dr. Sanford Edberg, the interim coroner appointed to replace Perper. Perper did not want to surrender control of the office. The two men were actually shoving each other for physical control of the coroner's office. Perper has been Chief Medical Examiner of Broward County, Florida
since 1994.
on Krissy Taylor
, the 17-year-old model
who died of bronchial asthma after collapsing in her parents' home. Krissy was the younger sister of model Niki Taylor
.
of Steve Bechler
after the pitcher's death on February 17, 2003. According to Perper:
"It is my professional opinion that the toxicity of ephedra played a significant role in the death of Mr. Bechler, although it's impossible to define mathematically the contribution of each one of the factors in his unfortunate death due to heatstroke."
During the investigation Perper interviewed Bechler's family. He found that Bechler was overweight, out of shape, was not yet accustomed to the warm and humid weather in South Florida, was on a primarily liquid or semi-liquid diet, did not feel well or eat the night before he collapsed and had high blood pressure, was using Xenadrine and had abnormal liver functions.
. Since Smith's death, he has been the care taker of the body. He has also had significant involvement in the recent hearing deciding the fate of her body and has made numerous TV appearances on Nancy Grace
and various other shows in relation to this. He revealed his findings that her death was due to an accidental lethal combination of therapeutic levels of 3 benzodiazapenes and chloral hydrate
. Chloral hydrate was believed to be the major contributing factor. After reviewing evidence in collaboration with legal authorities, he judged the death "accidental" and not suicide or homicide, or death by natural causes. An infection in her left buttock was also a contributory factor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who has gained both national and international notice for his work on several high profile autopsies.
Professional
Perper was born in BacăuBacau
Bacău is the main city in Bacău County, Romania. It covers a land surface of 43 km², and, as of January 1, 2009, has an estimated population of 177,087. The city is situated in the historical region of Moldavia, at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, and on the Bistriţa River...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and he escaped the Nazis during World War II and, following the war, the Russians. At the age of 18, moved to Israel, graduating from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
Faculty of Medicine (medical school) in 1960 and Faculty of Law (law school) in 1966. In 1969, he finished post graduate studies in forensic pathology
Forensic pathology
Forensic pathology is a branch of pathology concerned with determining the cause of death by examination of a corpse. The autopsy is performed by the pathologist at the request of a coroner or medical examiner usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some...
at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
. He served as Associate Medical Examiner, Senior Research Fellow
Research fellow
The title of research fellow is used to denote a research position at a university or similar institution, usually for academic staff or faculty members. A research fellow may act either as an independent investigator or under the supervision of a principal investigator...
and then Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, Maryland from 1969 to 1971. Between 1971 and 1994, while living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Perper was a toxicologist and then Chief Forensic Pathologist in the Allegheny County Coroner's Office (now called the Medical Examiner's Office), serving under Cyril Wecht
Cyril Wecht
Dr. Cyril Harrison Wecht is an American forensic pathologist. He has been a consultant in numerous high-profile cases, but is perhaps best known for his criticism of the Warren Commission's findings concerning the assassination of John F...
. As a result of legal problems for Wecht, Perper succeeded him as Coroner, which at the time was an elected position. Perper's career in Pittsburgh was interrupted in 1980 when Perper got into a shoving match in front of TV cameras http://cassandra2004.blogspot.com/2007/02/anna-nicole-smith-lew-burdette-joshua.html with Dr. Sanford Edberg, the interim coroner appointed to replace Perper. Perper did not want to surrender control of the office. The two men were actually shoving each other for physical control of the coroner's office. Perper has been Chief Medical Examiner of Broward County, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
since 1994.
Autopsy of Krissy Taylor
Perper performed the autopsyAutopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
on Krissy Taylor
Krissy Taylor
-Early life and career:Taylor was born in Miami and lived in South Florida with her parents and two older sisters. Taylor’s foray into the modeling world was largely due to being supermodel Niki Taylor's younger sister. At age 11, Taylor began going to shoots with Niki, and photographers began to...
, the 17-year-old model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
who died of bronchial asthma after collapsing in her parents' home. Krissy was the younger sister of model Niki Taylor
Niki Taylor
Nicole Renee "Niki" Taylor is an American model.-Early life:Taylor was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Ken and Barbara Taylor, a highway patrol lieutenant and a photographer, respectively. She was raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and attended Cooper City High School...
.
Autopsy of Steve Bechler
Dr. Perper performed the autopsyAutopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
of Steve Bechler
Steve Bechler
Steven Scott Bechler was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in 2002.Steve Bechler died of heatstroke at the beginning of spring training with the Orioles in 2003. An autopsy performed by Dr...
after the pitcher's death on February 17, 2003. According to Perper:
"It is my professional opinion that the toxicity of ephedra played a significant role in the death of Mr. Bechler, although it's impossible to define mathematically the contribution of each one of the factors in his unfortunate death due to heatstroke."
During the investigation Perper interviewed Bechler's family. He found that Bechler was overweight, out of shape, was not yet accustomed to the warm and humid weather in South Florida, was on a primarily liquid or semi-liquid diet, did not feel well or eat the night before he collapsed and had high blood pressure, was using Xenadrine and had abnormal liver functions.
Autopsy of Anna Nicole Smith
Perper along with Dr. Gertrude Juste, examined and autopsied the body of Anna Nicole SmithAnna Nicole Smith
In 1992 Smith was chosen by Hugh Hefner to appear on the cover of the March issue of Playboy, where she was listed as Vickie Smith, wearing a low-cut evening gown. The centerfold was photographed by Stephen Wayda. Smith said she planned to be "the next Marilyn Monroe". Becoming one of Playboys...
. Since Smith's death, he has been the care taker of the body. He has also had significant involvement in the recent hearing deciding the fate of her body and has made numerous TV appearances on Nancy Grace
Nancy Grace
Nancy Ann Grace is an American legal commentator, television host, television journalist, and former prosecutor. She frequently discusses issues from what she describes as a victims' rights standpoint, with an outspoken style that has won her both praise and condemnation...
and various other shows in relation to this. He revealed his findings that her death was due to an accidental lethal combination of therapeutic levels of 3 benzodiazapenes and chloral hydrate
Chloral hydrate
Chloral hydrate is a sedative and hypnotic drug as well as a chemical reagent and precursor. The name chloral hydrate indicates that it is formed from chloral by the addition of one molecule of water. Its chemical formula is C2H3Cl3O2....
. Chloral hydrate was believed to be the major contributing factor. After reviewing evidence in collaboration with legal authorities, he judged the death "accidental" and not suicide or homicide, or death by natural causes. An infection in her left buttock was also a contributory factor.
See also
- Microscopic Diagnosis in Forensic Pathology ISBN 0398039690
- When to...CALL THE DOCTOR! Your A-Z Guide to Illness, Injury and Today's Medicine ISBN 1883527112
- Self-assessment of current knowledge in forensic pathology and legal medicine: 1,100 multiple choice questions and referenced answers ISBN 0874881781