Disclaimer: I don't own 'Castle', but I'm beyond thrilled that we'll be getting a new season in just two weeks! Yayy!
Giving Dignity to the Dead: Dr. Lanie Parish
by Otis Flynn
Dr. Lanie Parish, ME, has heard it all. From the cringeworthy "you see dead people?" jokes, to the dreadful "you're too alive to work with dead people" come-on lines. She's also seen it all, from the most unimaginable crime scenes, to causes of death she never studied at medical school. Working in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is a demanding job, especially in New York, the city that never sleeps. Medical examiners like Parish work around the clock to identify causes of death and conduct forensic analysis; carrying out autopsies, DNA testing, evidence examination, and more.
Parish says she never dreamed of working in the field of forensic pathology. "I don't think too many kids dream of cutting into dead bodies," she jokes. "That's more like a nightmare for most kids. I wanted to be a ballerina." Her job these days is as far from dancing on stage as one could possibly imagine, but it's no less challenging. "You definitely learn to think on your feet in this job," she says, "figuratively and literally. Some days there is just no time to sit down, not even for a second."
If this wasn't her dream job, how did she get here? "When I enrolled in medical school, I had no intention of specializing in forensic pathology, but I quickly realized that it's a very interesting field. I have always been the kind of person who wants to know the stories behind things, the stories behind people; and so my job is perfect for me. It allows me to develop and use those investigative skills. I get to use science to tell important stories, and to do that with accuracy."
She credits her forensic medicine professor, Tara Atkins, for spotting her fledgling talents and helping her enhance them. "Professor Atkins took me under her wing and taught me important techniques that I still apply today." Now, as one of the OCME's most accomplished young MEs, Parish pays it forward by teaching her own skills to other young people. "It's not the easiest field to get into," she says, "you have to be tenacious, and you have to put in a lot of work – many, many hours of study and practice. You have to know and understand the dynamics and complexities of the human body like the back of your hand. You have to understand how so many different objects and substances can interact with the body in so many different ways. Plus, you've got to keep learning, stay current, because it's a field that's constantly growing and changing. So it helps to have a mentor to give you guidance and advice."
Parish works with various teams from the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies, helping to investigate deaths; accidental and otherwise. She says the challenges of working with law enforcement are manifold. "Visiting a crime scene is hard, especially when someone has suffered a violent death, or when a child is involved. You have to stay professional, stay sharp, maintain detachment, but it can be tough." And then there are the law enforcement agents themselves. "Sometimes it's a minefield. You have to work hard to ensure that no one compromises your work by interfering or trying to rush you towards a particular conclusion. However, I have to say that the vast majority of the people I work with are extremely professional and dedicated. I've even made some close friends."
Speaking of close friends, Parish is friends with NYPD Detective Kate Beckett and mystery author Richard Castle, and Dr. Lauren Parry, a fictionalized version of Parish, has even appeared on the pages of Castle's 'Nikki Heat' books. I wonder what Parish thinks of her fictional alter ego. "Oh, this is going to sound so egotistical," she laughs, "but I don't care – I love Lauren. She is so smart, confident, sassy, and fun. And she's my one claim to fame." How much of Parish is in Parry? "I would love to think that I've got a bit of Parry in me – seriously, if that's how Castle sees me, then that's a great compliment. I also love Lauren's relationship with Nikki Heat; it reminds me of my friendship with Kate."
I have to ask Parish, who describes herself as 'single and always ready to mingle', about her social life – does her job scare away potential love interests? "Honestly, yes," she confirms. "Some people think there's something morbid about what I do. But the way I look at it, if they're scared off, then good riddance. I just keep it moving." She is far more concerned with the practical limits that her job places on her social life. "We can get called out to crime scenes or to the lab at all hours of day or night, so it's hard to find time to go out and unwind, especially when I'm on call. And to be frank, I can't go straight from work to the club like some people can. In my line of work, you have to go home and take a really hot shower; or else you will smell like eau de formaldehyde," she laughs.
However, for all its challenges, Parish says there are many rewarding things about her profession. "It's an honor to tell the stories of those who can't do it for themselves anymore. It's humbling to give them the dignity that was denied to them. And it's very fulfilling when you can help get them justice and prevent a murderer from striking again. Then of course there's the simple satisfaction of putting all the clues together and arriving at the right answer. The teamwork and camaraderie with colleagues at the OCME and from other agencies is great too."
Parish has a few helpful tips for would-be forensic pathologists. "As an ME, you need to be extremely thorough – because the tiniest detail, the teeniest speck of a substance on a body, could make all the difference. You also need a strong stomach – because you will see things that will shock you, but there's just no time to stand around and be shocked. You need determination, because sometimes you will feel like giving up, but you have to push through. And you definitely need a sense of humor." That last one surprises me, but Parish is quick to explain. "It's a dark, harrowing job sometimes; and if you lose the ability to laugh, it's a sign that the job just might be consuming you. And that's never a good thing. For me, the lifelessness that surrounds me every day is not a reminder of the hopelessness of life. It's a reminder to live my life to the fullest, to love and be loved, and to laugh, while I still can."
Parish certainly has all the qualities she recommends. Her manner is frank, poised and self-assured, but she obviously has a fun side. When the interview ended and our photographer took a few photos for this feature, she warned, "You'd better make me look good in those pictures – as you know, I have friends on the other side, and if I don't look cute, they will come after you and haunt you to within an inch of your life." As the picture above shows, there's no chance that this delightful dynamo will ever have to make good on her playful threat.
This piece is part of our special series on law enforcement careers. In our next issue, we chat with FDNY firefighter Douglas Keane.
A/N: This is the final article published by NY Careers magazine. The next chapter will go back to the day of the interview, and will tell the story of what happened right after the interview. This is a short story; just three brief chapters. Thanks for reading!