CNN: Why Don't We Know Yet What Killed Prince?

Questions Remain

The music world is still in shock over the untimely passing of PRINCE, with many wondering about the cause of the superstar's death. CNN reports we might not have the answers for weeks or even months. 

"While forensic science-themed TV shows make it look quick and easy, and the technology has improved, modern death investigations take time," writes CNN. "The MIDWEST Medical Examiner's Office in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA, performed the autopsy on the 57-year-old musician on FRIDAY. Dr. A. QUINN STROBL finished the procedure in four hours, according to the office, but STROBL won't declare what caused PRINCE's death until after the office gathers all the relevant details."

Why? CNN explains, "The medical examiner's office does a routine but complicated kind of detective work that relies on reaching out to family members and doctors to gather medical history and understand what prescriptions the person was taking. The office might examine the scene of the person's death. It will send tissue samples out for lab tests, and it will want results reconfirmed. And this investigation happens in offices that typically juggle dozens of cases at once."

"When 'STAR TREK' is real, you'll have a tricorder that can determine what happened to someone immediately, but it doesn't work that way yet," said NATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY CENTER CEO KEVIN LOTHRIDGE. "The technology is a lot faster than it used to be, but there has to be quality assurance in the lab to corroborate what you may have found in the field."

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