The location of the fatal wounds, absence
of thrust wounds to the left side, dicate
the conclusion: The victim was turned quicklyCause of death - a Transected left jugular.

The illustration, derived from the courtroom
demonstration by a prosecution witness, is
a representation of the blood flow from the
the left jugular.

Note the assailant's left arm, as he holds it
so as to immobilize his victim. The blood is
flowing directly across the forearm - at the
rate of one pint per minute.

Note that we there are three fatal wounds:

Stab wound of right side of chest.

The stab wound is located on the right side of the chest, 22 inches below the top of the head and 5 inches from the back of the body;... Estimated length of the total wound path is 4 inches and as stated the direction is right to left and back to front...

Stab wound of right side of chest.

This wound is located on the right side of the chest, 21 inches below the top of the head and 2 inches from the back of the body... The direction is right to left... Estimated minimum total depth of penetration is 2-3 inches.

OPINION:

The decedent sustained multiple sharp force injuries, including multiple stab wounds involving the chest and abdomen; multiple incised-stab wounds of the neck; and multiple incised or cutting wounds. Fatal wounds were identified involving the neck where there was transection of the left internal jugular vein and stab wounds of the chest and abdomen causing intrathoracic and intraabdominal hemorrhage.

Of note the cutting wounds of the left and right hands, compatible with defensive wounds. In addition there were a number of blunt force injuries to the upper extremities and hands, likewise compatible with defensive wounds. The remainder of the autopsy revealed a normal, healthy adult male with no congenital anomalies. Routine toxicologic studies were ordered.
/s/ IRWIN L. GOLDEN, M.D. DEPUTY MEDICAL EXAMINER June 17, 1994 DATE

These wounds confirm that Goldman was held from behind, stabbed twice -- within a four inch area -- and his throat slit, as depicted above. It is the sliting of the throat that is the subject of this page.

There are two jugular veins delivering blood to the brain. The amount of damage that we can sustain to one, and still remain conscious, depends on what doctors term "cross over". The more "cross over", the longer an individual can function. The limit on that ability to function is the amount of blood loss. At rest, a transected jugular vein will pump blood from the body at a rate approaching one pint per minute. Lose five pints, and death is assured.

When Ron Goldman's throat was cut -- in a combative, and adrenaline excited state -- he discharged over a pint of blood before the killer knew a fatal blow had been rendered.

So I offer this experiment: Prepare a soda bottle, or similar container, with a half pint of liquid. Put on a long sleeve shirt, and find a volunteer -- who doesn't mind getting wet.

Taking the bottle in your right hand, immobilize your volunteer in the same manner that the killer immobilized Ronald Goldman. Reach around with your left arm, and with the soda bottle in your right hand, empty the contents against their left jugular vein.

The liquid will run down the left side of their chest, and on to your left arm. The location of Goldman's chest wounds imply that his right hand had gone to grasp the wound at his neck -- so the chest wounds would be simulated after the liquid is poured. Your volunteer can now fall to the ground. You will walk away. In all probability, you have now left drip marks to the left of where you walked.

This works nine out of ten times. The only ways it will not work are, if the viscosity of the liquid is higher then that of fresh blood, or if you hold the bottle so that the liquid pours out before making contact with the jugular.

This experiment indicates that the blood to the left of the killers footprints was Goldman's, not the assailants. Thus, we can assert, the assailant was not wounded.

Detective Mark Fuhrman {Mar 10} --

WESTBOUND AWAY FROM THE LANDING AND THE VICTIMS. THERE WAS BLOOD DROPS TO THE LEFT OF THOSE SHOEPRINTS. I PUT THAT IN MY NOTES TO MAKE MYSELF REMEMBER THAT A DOG WAS PROBABLY IN THAT AREA AND FOR MYSELF TO WONDER IF MAYBE THE DOG BIT THE SUSPECT.

Seems we're back to our friend Fuhrman, who at the time, believed that the victims had been shot. So, to account for the blood drops, he speculates {in his rough notes} that the killer had been bitten. Since the police failed to examine the Akita for trace evidence, we cannot eliminate the possibility that the killer was bitten. What we do know, Simpson was not. Having focused their attention on convicting Simpson, the prosecution avoided exploring any other sources of the blood drops. Given the "missing" initials on some of the bindles containing the blood evidence, this course of action was to be expected.

In a sidebar, Johnnie Cochran wants to get the following from Vannatter:

AS AN OFFER OF PROOF, THEY INVESTIGATED IN CHICAGO AND THEY FOUND GLASS IN A FACE BASIN OR WHATEVER CONTEXT SHATTERED WITH BLOOD, YOUR HONOR, WITH A TOWEL THEREON. THAT'S TOTALLY UNFAIR. WE HAVE A CUT FINGER IN THIS CASE AND I CAN'T BRING THAT OUT FROM THIS INVESTIGATOR, SIR?

MR. COCHRAN: WELL, I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT, YOUR HONOR. I THINK THE EVIDENCE WILL BE THAT THIS IS 160 FEET UP THAT WAY AND THEY FIND FOUR DROPS OF BLOOD.
MS. CLARK: FIVE.
MR. COCHRAN: FIVE DROPS OF BLOOD. THAT DOES NOT MAKE A TRAIL AMONG MOST REASONABLE EXPERTS.

Detective Mark Fuhrman
Will he take the FIFTH again?

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