Season 2 Episode 1: Forensics for the Living: How Autopsies Bring Peace to the Bereaved
Forensic pathology often draws fascination from the grim and sensational, murder cases, mysterious deaths, and “grizzly” details that satisfy public curiosity. But as Dr. Roland Kohr explains in this episode of Kohroner Chronicles, the deeper purpose of forensics goes far beyond solving crimes. Sometimes, it’s about helping the living find peace.
Medicine for the Dead, and the Living
“People sometimes say, ‘I couldn’t do what you do. You don’t deal with people,’” Dr. Kohr shares. “But I do. My patients are the deceased, but my work is for the living, for their families who need answers.”
As part of his lifelong work as a forensic pathologist and coroner, Dr. Kohr has developed what he calls a “bedside manner for the dead.” When a child dies suddenly, he makes time for grieving parents, inviting them to his office, explaining reports in plain language, and helping them understand what really happened. Because, as he puts it, “An autopsy isn’t just about the dead. It’s about healing the living.”
A Mother’s Anguish, and a Rare Disease
One case from two decades ago still stands out. A toddler was found lifeless in his crib, with no warning signs. The devastated mother even attempted to get a court order to stop the autopsy, saying she “did not want” her child’s body examined.
Dr. Kohr understood her pain, but also knew that without an autopsy, the truth would be lost. “Once you get past the shock,” he told her, “you’ll have questions. And unless we do the autopsy, those questions will stay unanswered.”
He proceeded, knowing the law allowed him to proceed with what he believed was a necessary examination. What he discovered was extraordinary: the child’s heart looked strange, tan-colored, globular, and unlike any he’d seen. After sending tissue samples to specialists at Riley Children’s Hospital, the diagnosis came back: histiocytoid cardiomyopathy, an exceedingly rare condition with only a few dozen known cases reported worldwide.
When Dr. Kohr called the mother to share the news, she thanked him, not for finding a disease name, but for freeing her from guilt. “She could finally stop wondering if she’d missed something, or if someone had done something wrong. That’s what this job is about,” Dr. Kohr said.
A Teen, a Train, and the Truth About Fire
In another unforgettable case, a teenager was killed when his car was struck by a train in Terre Haute. The car caught fire instantly. Witnesses, even firefighters, believed they saw the boy moving inside the burning vehicle. For his mother, that image was unbearable. “No parent can live peacefully believing their child burned alive while rescuers stood feet away,” Dr. Kohr recalls.
Through autopsy and toxicology testing, he found the truth: the boy had died on impact. His skull fracture and zero carbon monoxide levels proved he was gone before the fire began. When Dr. Kohr shared this, the mother asked, “You’re not just telling me this to make me feel better, are you?”
“No, carbon monoxide doesn’t lie,” Dr. Kohr replied.
The Forensic Heart
Not every part of the job involves crime scenes or cold cases. Sometimes, the greatest impact of forensic science is emotional: giving a family peace, avoiding years of torment, or ensuring no one lives with misplaced guilt. “I’ve been called a bastard more than once,” Dr. Kohr admits with a wry smile. “But out of 8,000 cases, I can only think of one where someone stayed angry after the fact. Interestingly, the rest of the family was very supportive. Because when people get their answers even if those answers hurt they heal.”
A Quiet Frustration
Years after diagnosing that rare case of histiocytoid cardiomyopathy, Dr. Kohr learned that Riley physicians had published a journal article about it, without crediting him, the one who first identified the abnormality and sought consultation. “It was irritating,” he admits. “But it didn’t change what mattered: that the mother got her answer. That’s the part of forensics that will always mean more than any publication.”