Pathology is central to everything. A bridge between science and medicine, pathology analyzes changes in tissue to determine the mechanisms of disease. Immediately upon understanding this, I knew my future would involve pathology. Iโve always wanted to create meaningful change with my time here and could think of no greater vehicle than through the application of pathology.
For a while, pursuing clinical medicine, offering aid and guidance to the unwell, felt like the natural progression for my studies. But I came to see an insurmountable wall that prevented medicine from serving a corner of our world that needed the answers pathology could provide. Death was often the end of the story for clinical medicine, but Forensic Pathology continued on.
By studying tissue in the deceased, pathology can offer aid and guidance to those left behind. Those left with more questions than answers about why their loved ones were gone. I realized how my effort could create a semblance of peace in what is often the darkest time for a family or community. Further, the guidance built through pathological examinations could seize justice in the fog of a system designed to close cases in the quickest and most efficient manner.
So, equipped with overflowing intellectual curiosity and a bookshelf of texts, I began a career as a State Forensic Pathologist and Medical Examiner. The individuals brought to me died in every possible manner. In most cases, I analyzed the body and provided my results. Even without contact with families, I struggled with compassion fatigue as people in all stages of life arrived before me with their stories unfinished. Seeing kids die never gets easier. Yet I soon came to understand that a strong heart was necessary in this calling for more than the passing of a child. When the deceased came to me through a criminal investigation, oftentimes I had to be strong in the face of legal pressure.
As a scientist with intent to make positive change, I recoiled at the forced narratives brought to my desk by law enforcement or legal counsel. Plenty of times, police officers would deliver a body complete with what exactly they believed happened while expecting me to agree and sign off. When I voiced my concerns, the pressure increased. Being a state employee meant that I had to play ball or potentially lose my post.
I felt constrained by my position to say anything other than what was being reported. Incidents where a traffic stop or domestic call results in death and the victim is deemed guilty before an investigation can begin. This was the world I could no longer participate in should I truly wish to live my purpose. So, I left state employment and became an independent medical examiner.
Untethered from political machinations, I could take cases where a second autopsy was requested after the initial proved too convenient for the expected outcome. Families attempting to salvage the reputation of their passed loved one come to me for an unbiased review of the evidence.
Off the legal grid, I was able to live the dream of meaningful change. Shortly into my career as an independent medical examiner, I found opportunities to consult on cases where the second autopsy made all the difference. Further, my expertise allowed me to provide insights into high-profile cases such as that of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
His death in 2012 created a national story as the man who shot him claimed self-defense. During the trial in 2013, attorney J. Cheney Mason often went on television to discuss the defendantโs claim, the prosecutionโs case, and the potential for manslaughter conviction. When the defendant was cleared of all charges, Mr. Mason wasnโt satisfied. His knowledge of the law coupled with my scientific ability were put to the test as we went through every detail of the case to create a definitive expose on the law enforcement, medical, legal, and social issues that swelled into the mess that allowed Martinโs killer to walk free. Working on that project, I found a new outlet for my passion to make a difference. Murdered in a Hoodie would be my first foray as an author, but only the start of my writing career.
Before moving forward, I went back. One of the most exciting times during my work as a state Medical Examiner was in the mid 1970s when a group of television writers and producers approached my department with a request to consult on the new show they were creating. Along with my team at the time, I answered dozens of questions and provided information to help them craft a realistic Medical Examiner for the show. That show became Quincy, ME and it changed police procedural television forever.
Quincy, ME is often considered the ancestor to modern investigation shows like CSI. The reason is that the main character, Dr. R. Quincy, conducted forensic investigations using accurate science. He didnโt simply look at a corpse and point out the cause of death; Dr. Quincy displayed the patience and curiosity necessary to parse through tests, slides, and all forms of trace evidence. For the first time, I felt like the average person could understand and appreciate the depth of forensic pathology for making a difference. So, it was with Quincy close to my heart that I began to write.
Obviously I was going to write about a Medical Examiner, but how? Before the crippling fear of imposter syndrome could set in, I focused on what brought me into the profession. Knowing that my intellectual curiosity and work ethic could bring meaningful change for those living their darkest days was the answer before and didnโt waver when I sat down at the keyboard. Cases like Trayvon Martin happen all the time, an unfortunate truth, and even if I couldnโt work on all of those investigations myself, maybe I could pen someone who would.
That was when Dr. Arthur Lyons began to form.
The next step was creating his world. In my best approximation of โif itโs not broke, donโt fix itโ, I drafted Dr. Lyonโs assistant using the framework of the man that forever changed my own lab. โLarryโ came from humble beginnings and worked harder than anyone Iโve met to become an irreplaceable assistant and partner. He opened my eyes to many injustices, sharing his perspective gained from a difficult childhood into present life as a person of color. I was blessed to have his insights for many years before he passed away. Crystalizing the memory of the man into the character of โLarryโ felt like the natural addition to my cast.
If itโs not clear by now, I write what I know.
I know a narrative is being constructed the second an investigation begins. I know how the system strives to achieve short timelines and concise verdicts. I know how many questions linger long after police tape has been taken down. I know death isnโt the end of the story.
Through patience and intellectual curiosity, I first turned on a microscope. And now, using those same tools, I sit down every day, fight through the doubt, and build the world of Dr. Arthur Lyons, Medical Examiner in hopes of showing how science and compassion can create change one case at a time.
Dr. William R. Anderson has been working as a forensic pathologist and medical examiner for over 30 years. A career focus of compassionate curiosity allows him to work with families to find some measure of peace and justice in the death of a loved one. Dr. Anderson carries this same motivation over into his Forensic Fiction series, Dr. Arthur Lyons, Medical Examiner Volume 2 is out now and available wherever you get your crime.
