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Summary and Comment: The autopsy report states:
- Cause of death: Inhalation of smoke and carbon monoxide due to fire (monoxide saturation of tissues, 50%).
- The head and five of the seven cervical (neck) vertebrae are missing. Part of sixth vertebra is missing, but the Report does not state whether the remaining fragment evinces physical trauma (blunt force, saw, axe, etc.), charring by fire, disease, or decomposition.
- The remains show advanced decomposition such that "Internal organs cannot be identified due to advanced putrefaction and liquefaction." Yet the time between the fire (April 19, 2003) and the autopsy (May 4, 1993) was only two weeks (court testimony of Texas Ranger Sgt. Coffman).
- The autopsy does not estimate a time or date of death.
Other than the mention, the autopsists apparently found the circumstance of a missing head unremarkable, and do not suggest decapitation as a possible the cause of death. Nevertheless, the design on the underwear is noted twice with nation of manufacture, style, and color, the hook fasteners on the brassiere were counted, and all the other items of clothing are noted with meticulous care. Scalp hair was collected from the remains despite the absence of head and neck.
The autopsy does not include an estimate of the time of death.
The DOJ Report contains separate entries for the identified Rosemary Morrison and the unidentified "Doe 75." This is at variance with the Autopsy Report and the Inquest Certificate, which identify "MC Doe 75" as Rosemary Morrison. The DOJ Report states:
- Identified Branch Davidians From April 19 Fire ... Rosemary Morrison; Morrison, a British citizen, was buried alive inside the bunker. She died of suffocation. She was identified from a fingerprint comparison. She was 29 years old.
- Unidentified Branch Davidians From April 19 Fire ... Doe 75, a 25-35 year old female, died of smoke and carbon monoxide inhalation. Her body was found in the bunker.
Summary and Comment: Note that the cause of death for Rosemary is different from that of MC Doe 75, as though the Report were citing to two different autopsies. However, the DOJ Report does not indicate which numbered cadaver was identified with Rosemary Morrison.
These errors strongly imply that the causes of death and identities of the victims were not a primary interest in the composition of the Report, or that the driving interest was something other than the truth.
Summary and Comment: The Inquest Certificate states:
- Cause of Death: Suffocation due to overlay and burial in structural collapse
- Manner of Death: Could not be determined
The Certificate does not explain why the inquest rejected the cause of death determined in the autopsy.
None of the documents explain why:
- The September autopsy (with FBI Fingerprint Section assistance) identified Doe 75 as Rosemary Morrison,
- The October DOJ report discarded that identification, and on the evidence of fingerprints (presumably with FBI Fingerprint Section assistance), linked Rosemary Morrison with some other cadaver (not named), and yet
- The November inquest confirmed that MC Doe 75 was Rosemary Morrison.
None of those documents show any curiosity about the missing head or the advanced state of decomposition.
Bone chart and
medical glossary available on line.
Anomalies in the Forensic Process may also be
helpful.