Karen B. Looman, DO
Pathologist | Forensic Pathology
3159 Eden Ave Cincinnati OH, 45219About
Karen B. Looman, DO, is a forensic pathologist who serves as Chief Deputy Coroner at Hamilton County Coroner’s Office in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a forensic pathologist, she has dedicated training and unique experience to determine the cause and manner of death in cases that are not natural, such as homicides, suicides, and accidents. Dr. Looman also signs the death certificates of those who don’t have doctors, does autopsy on babies that die under the age of two under sudden or suspicious circumstances, examines human bones that are found, testifies in court about many of her cases, and tries to help families understand why their loved ones have died. She has an impressive professional journey that spans fifteen years. Dr. Looman has testified in numerous cases, with one of the most high-profile cases being the fatal shooting of Sam DuBose, an unarmed Black man, by police officer Ray Tensing in 2015. She showed graphic photos, a bullet fragment, autopsy notations, and other evidence to the court, testifying that DuBose was shot in the head and died instantly by homicide.
Karen B. Looman, DO's Videos
Education and Training
KCOM D.O. 1998
Provider Details
Karen B. Looman, DO's Expert Contributions
How long are bones preserved for at a crime scene?
If these bones are human bones the first priority is to identify who's bones they are. So the bones are collected, categorized and evaluated for trauma or medical issues. If we have an idea of who the person might be we try to identify the person by their teeth or a known medical device in the body or by DNA. Once the bones are identified as a person, they are given to the family for proper burial. If we cannot identify the bones, we try to identify everything about the bones, height, approximate age, sex. We evaluate any clothes at the scene for approximate weight. We have a forensic dentist look at the teeth and have DNA done. We then place all the information in a web site called NAMUS - which is for missing people and unidentified people. Hopefully through investigation we can identify the person and bury them. If they are not identified after several years we bury them in a known location so if ultimately the bones are identified, they can be returned to the family. READ MORE
How common are crimes of passion?
Depending upon the city you live in, homicides are not that common compared to all the natural deaths, suicides and accidents. Many homicides are committed during a crime and are stranger against stranger homicides. A small percent of homicides are between people that know one another, and a smaller percent are between two people that are involved in a relationship with one another. READ MORE
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Chief Deputy Coroner Hamilton County Coroner’s Office -
Professional Memberships
- College of American Pathologists
- National Association of Medical Examiners
- American Academy of Forensic Science
Fellowships
- Tidewater Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Forensic
Fellowships
- Tidewater Office of the Chief Medical ExaminerForensic 2008
Professional Society Memberships
- National Association of Medical Examiners American Academy of Forensic Science College of American Pathologists
Karen B. Looman, DO's Practice location
Hamilton County Coroner’s Office
3159 Eden Ave -Cincinnati, OH 45219Get Direction
Karen B. Looman, DO's reviews
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Get to know Forensic Pathologist Dr. Karen B. Looman, who serves patients in Cincinnati, Ohio.
An experienced forensic pathologist, Dr. Looman is the Chief Deputy Coroner at Hamilton County Coroner’s Office in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Involved in the legal aspect of medicine, her main tasks are determining the cause and manner of death in cases that are not natural – homicides, suicides and accidents. Furthermore, she signs the death certificates of those who don’t have doctors, does autopsy on babies that die under the age of two under sudden or suspicious circumstances, examines human bones that are found, testifies in court about many of her cases, and tries to help families understand why their loved ones have died.
With a broad educational background, Dr. Looman earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1998. She then went on to complete her residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2006, and her forensic fellowship at the Tidewater Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in 2008.
Forensic pathology is pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. A forensic pathologist is someone who investigates the cause of sudden and unexpected deaths, and can provide evidence in court regarding the cause and time of such deaths. They are able to determine how a person died by performing autopsies and studying tissue and laboratory results.
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Nearest Hospitals
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI MEDICAL CENTER, LLCl
234 GOODMAN STREET CINCINNATI OH 45219CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTERl
3333 BURNET AVENUE CINCINNATI OH 45229SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN - CINCINNATIl
3229 BURNETT AVENUE CINCINNATI OH 45229