December 16, 2003
Doesn't Anybody Around Here Watch CSI?

Imshin / Not a Fish posts a thought I have seen on other sites, though nowhere this succinctly (it's yesterday's first post if the direct link doesn't work):

The morning Yediot Aharonot says they were looking for cyanide in [Hussein's] hair and mouth. Silly me! I thought they were worried about his personal hygiene.

I suspect the examining physician was also getting the DNA sample necessary to complete the identification. CSIs on various crime shows always use a Q-tip on the inside of the cheek, but a tongue depressor in the same general area would no doubt do the job, and the nit-check probably secured a stray hair or two. As for alternative methods, I don't imagine it would have been easy to get Hussein to give blood voluntarily: the fact that any approaching hypodermic could be full of lethal poison, 'truth serum', or God knows what else would likely have led to physical resistance.

Posted by Dr. Weevil at December 16, 2003 07:34 PM
Comments

It seems equally likely to me that this was part of the identification process. The doctor was confirming fillings and/or known scars ...

Posted by: rogueclassicist on December 17, 2003 05:51 AM

One news agency reported that Saddam was complaining about a sore tooth. Sorry, no link.

Posted by: D. Woolwine on December 17, 2003 10:24 PM

Isn't that how CSI treats cows (hey, I get my news from nefarious vatican sources)? :)

How long would a man hiding in a spider-hole for months last with Marg Hilgenberger in his presence (or a man happily married for 13 years and.....no, bad thoughts, Ricky, bad thoughts)..

Posted by: Ricky on December 19, 2003 06:15 AM