Forensic Pathologist Sees His Profession as 'Advocates for the Dead' - Forensic pathologist Fred Zack reveals the 1990s’ brutal crime wave in new book
Forensic pathologist Fred Zack has spent decades examining violent crime in northern Germany. His work covers some of the region’s most shocking cases, from terror attacks to unsolved killings. Now, his upcoming book 'Triple Homicide' explores how the turbulent 1990s shaped a wave of brutal violence.
Zack’s career began during a period when homicides and manslaughter cases surged in his jurisdiction. The 1990s saw far more intentional killings in the Rostock area than in later years. He links this rise to the era’s social upheaval, unstable living conditions, and heavy alcohol use—factors he examines in his 2025 book.
Among the high-profile cases he handled was the 1993 autopsy of Michael Newrzella, a police officer killed during an anti-Red Army Faction (RAF) operation in Bad Kleinen. Years later, in 2004, Zack also performed the post-mortem on Mehmet Turgut, a victim of the far-right NSU terror group murdered in Rostock. Zack remains active in forensic work, still consulting on current cases and staying in contact with colleagues. He has criticised how some investigations were managed, such as the 1992 killing of boy Fabian, where crime-scene investigator Jürgen Schneider initially failed to secure evidence properly before re-examining the scene. He also suspects many homicides went undetected between 1992 and 2021, pointing to the near-absence of classic poisoning cases in the Rostock and Schwerin court districts. Zack insists that brutal crimes must be described honestly—without softening language—to ensure justice is not skewed in favour of the accused. For him, forensic pathologists serve as the voice of victims who can no longer speak for themselves.
Zack’s findings highlight how violence in the 1990s left lasting scars on the region. His upcoming book and ongoing work continue to shed light on unresolved cases and systemic flaws. The pathologist’s decades of experience underscore the role of forensic science in uncovering the truth behind Germany’s most serious crimes.
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