[Stiv]

Most reputable ME's do not like giving an exact TOD because of too many unknown variables. They usually only give a range of dates and emphasize that it is only a best estimate.

What has my curiosity piqued with the ME in this case is how broad his range is--I believe that it is anywhere from 10 days to 6 weeks. In my experience, I have never come across an ME opinion with such a broad range when the body is found within four weeks of disappearance.

You know, I thought the same thing when I read the first reports because there's no reason the ME shouldn't take into account the approximate time of disappearance when fixing his TOD. Unlike an expert witness who's supposed to limit his conclusions based on raw data, the ME knows in advance the latest possible date the victim (i.e., an innocent young girl) could have died. Or perhaps I'm just assuming that....

[ernie pantuso]

My GUESS is that the ME did not want to be involved with that issue in this case: He obviously found physical evidence to support the 10-day basis. He also knew that Faulkner had been called in to examine the body and bugs. So, not wanting to upset the State's investigation/theory and not wanting to become involved in the TOD fight, he concludes a broad enough range such that he is not put on the spot and the other experts can hash it out in court over TOD.

I do not know this ME so I can not state if he is spineless--i.e.,does not want to cross the DA so he "punts"--or if he is being intellectually honest with such a broad range of TOD.

[Krodg]

It sounds like his testimony set the stage for the defense experts. Maybe the DA should have spent a little more time getting his facts together, before he filed charges.