Dr Harold Shipman Essay

Dr. Harold Shipman was very sadistical and arrogant. He was extremely arrogant around his peers. Dr. Shipman was only ever indicted for 15 victims and forgery, but it is believed that he murdered a little over 200 of his patients. One of which is believed to be before he started practicing, but nothing was able to come of it. The method behind Dr. Shipman was morphine. He would up the dosage for those receiving the medication or just administer it to patients who did not need morphine. Prior to his murders Dr. Shipman was convicted of forgery and kicked out of his first practice. He was addicted to a pain killer and would forge prescriptions in order to get high. A few years down the road he would pick back up practicing again but this time

he would spend the next two decades murdering older people that were his target.

Dr. Shipman was favored by his mother to which she, “instilled superiority, which caused relationship issues.” (Biography.com, 2017) Dr.

Shipman would end up taking care of his mother when she became ill. He would witness her being administered morphine and the effects it would have on her. Dr. Shipman's victim could be men or women, usually targeting older patients. According to biography.com, there were similar poses, most were fully clothed, and usually sitting up or reclined during their death. A medical examiner would first notice the rate of patients that were passing away under his care. However, Dr. Shipman was very convincing that it was ok. Another medical examiner would end up finding these deaths very disturbing. Dr. Shipman's behavior and arrogance really never raised any suspicion. All of his medical records were in order and corroborated the deaths. Eventually, it would be discovered the medical records were forged and the scene were the patients would pass, the doctor would revisit in order to clean up and remove evidence as to not get caught. The majority of the time he would insist to the victim's family members to have the bodies cremated. Most of the time the family members listened to the Dr. Shipman. It was not until Angela Woodruff who was lawyer experienced the passing

of her mother, Kathleen Grundy to be odd. Simply because she was healthy an active. She did fight and argue in order for Dr. Shipman to eventually be tried in court. I believe what allowed Dr. Shipman to be caught was the fact he advised that no autopsy needed to be done and the fact another will existed leaving the majority of Angela Woodruffs mothers estate to him. The body would end up being exhumed and it was found she had a highly toxic level of morphine in her system. Not to mention, Dr. Shipman was at her residence 3 hours prior to her death. (2017) Some damning evidence was the will that was allegedly written by Kathleen Grundy. It did not have any of her DNA on it or fingerprints. There was a time stamp for all the records that were altered and it just so happened to be those who were patients/victims of Dr. Shipman. Once a search warrant was secured, there were findings in his home that were odd. A lot of jewerly and even a type writer belonging to his last victim. Furthermore, Dr. Shipman while on scene with family members would appear to be calling the emergency services and appear to have them canceled because he was on scene already. There was no log of this.

Even though no one ever mentioned Dr. Harold Shipman commit these atrocities, there was enough forensic and physical evidence to charge with 15 murders and forgery. He eventually would hang himself in prison still proclaiming his innocence. I believe the evidence speaks a million words and thanks to the determination of a scorned daughter, Dr. Shipman was apprehended and stopped permanently from taking anymore lives and from abusing his power.