Former Maryland Chief Medical Examiner Under Fire for Testimony in Police-Related Deaths
Dr. David Fowler, Maryland’s former chief medical examiner, is facing scrutiny after testifying that George Floyd’s death may not have been caused by Derek Chauvin. Fowler cited a heart condition, intoxicants, and exhaust from a car as potential factors. Questions about Fowler’s pro-law enforcement bias have arisen, prompting an audit into the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) under his leadership.
The audit aims to review around 100 in-custody deaths, particularly those similar to Floyd’s case, to determine if the cause and manner of death findings were based on thorough investigations. The investigation has revealed concerns about biased methods and unreliable findings by medical examiners at OCME, particularly in cases involving police restraint.
Among the issues uncovered is the widespread use of “excited delirium” as a cause of death, a discredited explanation with racist origins. The audit also sheds light on cases where deaths were attributed to pre-existing illnesses or accidents, despite evidence of police involvement.
While the audit may not bring closure to all 1,313 cases in the OCME database, advocates believe that comprehensive reform is needed to address systemic bias in medical examiner practices. Changes in how OCME conducts investigations, interacts with law enforcement, and presents findings in court may be necessary to ensure justice and accountability in cases of in-custody deaths where police are involved.
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