One question that concerns me with respect to the official Osama fable is: how were they able to ascertain the identity of the body? The declaration of his identity having been confirmed by DNA testing in a few hours seems to me to derive more from the science-fiction world of the "CSI" television franchise than from the reality of forensic science practice. Having some familiarity with the processes of forensic medical examination, the idea of a proper autopsy having been conducted is belied by the documented non-existence of mortuary facilities within the medical suites aboard US Nimitz-class CVN's. I quote here, in relevant part, from a document describing the medical suite aboard a Nimitz-class CVN (and, no, the existence of surgical facilities is no substitute for the existence of a proper autopsy suite, which is a highly specialized equipment setup which this ship-type clearly lacks). This raises the question as to why the body wasn't transferred to a USNS hospital ship, which has proper mortuary facilities. The question as to the immediate burial at sea stands in further contrast to the care taken by the Chief Medical examiner of King County, Washington, in his refusal to release the body of grunge singer/songwriter Kurt Cobain for several weeks following his death. Is the fate of "St. Kurt of Seattle" really more important to recent US history than that of Osama bin Laden, whose alleged acts have resulted in the imposition of a police state in this country? (Similar police states are already further along in the construction process in the UK and Canada, which were never attacked to the extent the US was on 9/11.) And, as far as as the denial of a worship site for Moslem fanatics as an excuse for the immediate burial at sea, how does that square with the historical example of the Soviets' having kept the body of Adolf Hitler for decades following his death (and the most scientifically interesting portions of his skull are still kept today)?
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Anyways, here's the quote:
a. Clinical Services Direct patient care is the most obvious function of the medical department in the execution of its mission. Out patient sick call is usually the initial point of entry into the health care function of the medical department. In addition to sick call the medical department maintains an active emergency room, general surgery clinic, physical therapy clinic and optometric services. Inpatient services include the ward, intensive care unit, and operating room functions. This is the "hospital" function of a carrier medical department and the one, which requires constant attention to ensure the highest quality hea care.
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And here's the whole piece:
http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/OperationalMedicine/DATA/operationalmed/OperationalSettings/Naval%20Aviation%20Medicine/AircraftCarrierBasedMedicine.htm#Carrier%20Medical%20Department%20Mission%20and%20Capabilities
