Autopsy Room Four Trivia Quiz

Answer: It was a sailboat

Jack Klugman portrayed a Los Angeles Medical Examiner in the NBC hit program "Quincy M.E." His home was a sailboat which was shown periodically throughout the years. This show was one of the first to center around the field of forensic pathology and its role in law enforcement. It is considered to be the hallmark of all future crime dramas which focus on forensic sciences.

Answer: Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers

Played by actress Leslie Hendrix, the character of Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers has appeared in "Law & Order", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", "Law & Order: Criminal Intent", and "Law & Order: Trial by Jury". Rodgers is often irritated by officers wanting information, such as cause of death, when a full autopsy has not been completed, and refuses to be rushed.

Her character is one of the few medical examiners portrayed on television that tries to make it clear that a full forensic autopsy is not a quick nor easy job.

Answer: Jill Hennessy

Jill Hennessy went from playing a prim and proper New York attorney in "Law & Order" to being a forensic pathologist in "Crossing Jordan". The title of the second program refers to Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh's tendency to cross others especially authority figures.

There is a possible biblical metaphor ref. ancient Hebrews crossing the Jordan River, which is often used in religious songs to represent death and the afterlife. Dr. Cavanaugh also struggled with inner demons that haunted her. They were the result of the murder of her mother while she was still a child.

Answer: False

This is completely false. Jan Carla Garavaglia is a real coroner with her own television show "Dr.G: Medical Examiner". Her position as Chief Medical Examiner is explored in this show. The show focuses on causes of death that are usually natural. In real life Dr. Garavaglia does testify in court and does help to solve crimes.

But like most medical examiners, the bulk of her work deals with subjects who died from ill health and/or accidents.

Answer: Sasha Alexander

Based on a set of novels by author Tess Gerritsen, "Rizzoli & Isles" portrays the lives of a Boston detective Jane Rizzoli (played by Angie Harmon), and her close friend, Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles (played by Sasha Alexander). Like many other forensically focused crime dramas, the Medical Examiner is portrayed as a genius.

But unlike many other shows, this character has good social skills and is beautiful as well. While it may not be as scientifically accurate as some other crime dramas, it has a solid fan base.

Many fans may remember Sasha Alexander from the military crime drama "NCIS" where she played Special Agent Kate Todd.

Answer: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Dr. Albert "Al" Robbins is the much respected coroner in the long-running crime drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" which first started in 2000. Portrayed by actor Robert David Hall, Dr. Robbins, like the actor, is openly disabled, having lost both legs in an accident. The character is portrayed as a medical genius with a degree from the prestigious John Hopkins University.

Answer: Waking the Dead

Portrayed by actress Tara Fitzgerald, Dr. Eve Lockhart is a forensic pathologist on "Waking the Dead". She first appears in 2007 as a replacement for the previous forensic pathologist, Dr. Felix Gibson. This successful crime drama centers around a cold case squad, which in real life are often assisted by coroners and forensic pathologists. On the side Lockhart manages a body farm which she uses to broaden her knowledge.

Answer: True

Debuting on BBC network in 2011, "The Body Farm" is a crime drama that focuses around a fictional private facility involved in forensic pathology. Actor Finlay Robertson plays Dr. Oscar 'Oggy' Traynor, one of several specialists at the facility. A spin-off of the program "Waking the Dead", the program was cancelled after the first year.

Answer: State Coroner

"State Coroner" aired on Network Ten from 1997-1998. It dealt with a State Coroner's office and each episode explored a case from the very beginning until the end. It included murders, accidents, suicides, and deaths from actual causes, and would include any courtroom appearances that were needed.

This program attempted to cover the coroner's office as a whole team instead of highlighting one character.

Answer: Ducky

Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard is portrayed by Scottish actor David McCallum who may be best known for his portrayal of Illya Kuryakin in the 1960's television show "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.". Dr. Mallard has an excellent and extensive education including training in psychology. Ducky is often seen talking to his dead bodies and the autopsy is often seen in a very graphic manner compared to some other comparable crime dramas.

He often rambles on about his past escapades, which are remarkable and varied.