Home > 10/13/09 Paul Auster Reads from Autopsy Reports of Detainee Deaths   Paul Auster reads from a series of autopsy and death reports of detainees held in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan, as part of the 2009 PEN event Reckoning with Torture: Memos and Testimonies from the “War on Terror”. Read the manuscript below. Listen to audio of the reading Autopsy and Death Reports of Detainees Held in U.S. Custody in Iraq and Afghanistan Autopsy Number: AO3-51. Date of Death: June 6th, 2003. Decedent is a...52 year old Iraqi Male, Civilian Detainee, who was found unresponsive outside in isolation at Whitehorse detainment facility. This...52-year-old Male, [redacted] died as a result of asphyxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) due to strangulation. Additional findings at autopsy include blunt force injuries, predominantly recent bruises, on the torso and lower extremities. The abrasions encircling the left wrist are consistent with the use of restraints. Cause of Death: Strangulation Manner of Death: Homicide Autopsy Number: ME 03-504. Date of Death: November 4th, 2003. [A]n Iraqi National, died while detained at the Abu Ghraib prison where he was held for interrogations by government agencies. Fractures of the ribs and a contusion of the left lung imply significant blunt force injuries of the thorax and likely resulted in impaired respiration.... [I]nterviews taken from individuals present during the interrogation indicate that a hood was placed over the head and neck of the detainee. This likely resulted in further compromise of effective respiration. Cause of Death: Blunt Force Injuries Complicated by Compromised Respiration Manner of Death: Homicide Autopsy Number: ME03-571 Date of Death: November 26th, 2003. This Iraqi...died while in U.S. custody. The details surrounding the circumstances at the time of death are classified. Cause of Death: Asphyxia due to smothering and chest compression. Manner of Death: Homicide. Death: April 5, 2004 Location: LSA Diamon Questioned by NSWT, struggled/interrogated/died sleeping Cause and Manner: Pending Death: Jan. 1, 2004 Location: FOB Rifles Questioned by “other government agency,” gagged in standing restraint Cause: Blunt force injuries & asphyxia Manner of Death: Homicide Death: Nov. 26, 2004 Location: FOB Tiger Questioned by “military intelligence,” died during interrogation Cause: Asphyxia due to smothering & chest compression Manner of Death: Homicide Death: Nov. 4, 2003 Location: Abu Ghraib Questioned by “other government agency” and NSWT; died during interrogation Cause: Blunt force injury complicated by compromised respiration Manner of Death: Homicide Death: December 10, 2002 Location: Bagram, Afghanistan Found unresponsive in cell Cause: Blunt force injuries to lower extremities... Manner of Death: Homicide Death: December 3, 2002 Location: Bagram, Afghanistan Found unresponsive, restrained in his cell Cause: Pulmonary embolism due to blunt force injuries to the legs Manner of Death: Homicide Autopsy Number: ME04-14. Date of Death: January 9th, 2004. Iraqi detainee died while in U.S. custody. This 47-year-old White male died of blunt force injuries and asphyxia. The autopsy disclosed multiple blunt force injuries, including deep contusions of the chest wall, numerous displaced rib fractures, lung contusions, and hemorrhage into the intestine. The decedent was shackled to the top of a doorframe with a gag in his mouth at the time he lost consciousness and became pulseless. The severe blunt force injuries, the hanging position, and the obstruction of the oral cavity with a gag contributed to this individual’s death. The manner of death is homicide.   Home | Site Map | Copyright / Privacy Policy | Contact Us © 2004-2012 PEN American Center. All rights reserved.