Mar 20 2025
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Barbara Butcher is a renowned forensic expert, medicolegal death investigator, and mass fatalities consultant who has investigated over 5,500 death scenes in her career. She is also a published author and an engaging keynote speaker on forensic science, problem-solving, and high-pressure decision-making.
With over two decades spent on the front lines of forensic investigation, Barbara Butcher has seen it all. As the former Chief of Staff and Director of the Forensic Sciences Training Program at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, she played a pivotal role in some of the most high-profile investigations in modern history, including 9/11, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and the crash of Flight 587.
A celebrated speaker, Butcher captivates audiences with her real-life experiences, sharp wit, and unique ability to blend the science of death investigation with deeply human storytelling. Barbara Butcher is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Barbara Butcher’s fees.
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-510-6607 to book Barbara Butcher for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
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Barbara Butcher’s career in forensic investigation spans 23 years, with much of her time spent at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Rising through the ranks from Medicolegal Investigator to Director of Forensic Investigations, she became responsible for overseeing thousands of death investigations, disaster planning, victim identification, and evidence analysis. She was only the second woman ever hired for the role of Death Investigator in Manhattan and the first to last more than three months. In total, she has investigated more than 5500 death scenes and 680 homicides. Her ability to lead in high-pressure environments made her an indispensable asset to the city’s forensic response efforts.
Barbara was at the forefront of the remains recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site after 9/11, where she played a critical role in identifying victims and bringing closure to grieving families. She also helped lead forensic investigations into the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the crash of Flight 587 in Queens, which claimed 265 lives. Her expertise in mass fatality management has since been sought by governments and organizations around the world.
Recognizing the need for standardized training in forensic sciences, Barbara founded the nationally recognized Forensic Sciences Training Program at OCME. She has taught at the NYU School of Medicine, New York Medical College, and Louisiana State University, equipping future forensic investigators, medical professionals, and law enforcement personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of death investigation.
Barbara’s influence extends far beyond New York City. She has consulted for the World Health Organization, offering her expertise in disaster response and victim identification following global catastrophes such as the 2004 tsunami in Thailand and the London Underground bombing. Her work has shaped policies and protocols for international mass fatality management, solidifying her reputation as a leading authority in the field.
A gifted storyteller, Barbara’s speaking engagements are as gripping as they are informative. Whether recounting crime scene investigations, discussing the ethical complexities of forensic science, or exploring the human stories behind the data, she brings an unparalleled depth of experience and insight to her audiences.
In addition to speaking, she is a published author, having written extensively on forensic science, criminal investigations, and her journey into the world of death investigation. Her newest book, What the Dead Know, details the stunning real-life stories of her career as an investigator. Barbara also recently joined the cast of Netflix’s Homicide: New York, offering expert analysis on real-life murder cases and the investigative process behind solving them.
Find out how to hire Barbara Butcher to appear at your next event. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about Barbara Butcher’s availability and cost. When booking Barbara Butcher for an event, we need to know the type of venue and location the event will take place. Barbara Butcher is a popular choice for corporate events, private events, and virtual events. So, you can click the Check Availability button or contact us and an MPG Barbara Butcher booking agent will get back to you within 48 hours.
How much to book Barbara Butcher depends on the type of event. So, the cost to hire Barbara Butcher for corporate or private events is available by contacting a Mollie Plotkin Group Agent. Notably, Barbara Butcher is available for conferences, festivals, private parties and events. Just contact the Mollie Plotkin Group and tell the booking agent the proposed date, time, and location.
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Death investigations require a keen eye for detail and an understanding of medical, legal, and environmental factors. But the lessons from forensic investigation extend beyond the crime scene. In this keynote, Barbara reveals how the skills honed in death investigation—such as critical thinking, attention to detail, and cross-discipline application—can be used in any profession.
Whether in healthcare, law, business, or any other field, Barbara offers actionable takeaways on how to think more analytically, make better decisions under pressure, and improve problem-solving skills in high-stakes environments.
Curate a moderated discussion with Barbara that can be partially or fully open to Q&A. During this talk, Barbara can focus on any aspect of her career. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to ask Barbara their burning questions about real-life crime scene investigations, forensic science, and what it takes to solve some of the most challenging homicide cases.
This intimate and interactive format allows for a deep dive into Barbara’s career, including her most unforgettable cases, the toll of working in forensic science, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She can even pull back the curtain on her experience working on Netflix’s Homicide: New York, discussing the cases, the process, and what it’s like to bring real forensic investigation to the screen. Contact us today to discuss tailoring Barbara’s fireside chat to your audience, we’ll work closely with you to curate the perfect talk for your event.
A riveting, deeply personal memoir of more than twenty years of death-scene investigations by New York City death investigator Barbara Butcher.
Barbara Butcher was recovering from addiction problems and unhappy relationships when she landed a job at the Medical Examiner’s Office in New York City. The second woman ever hired for the role of Death Investigator in Manhattan, she was the first to last more than three months. The work was gritty and demanding, sometimes dangerous. And she loved it.
In a voice full of attitude—a real New Yorker some might say—Barbara writes about what it was like not to go a day on the job without seeing a victim of homicide or some other violent crime. She investigated double homicides, gruesome suicides, and most heartbreaking of all, underage rape victims who had also been murdered. Butcher describes working at the world’s largest morgue following 9/11, where she and her colleagues initially relied on family members’ descriptions to help distinguish among the 21,900 body parts of the victims.
Butcher spent ten years in the field during which time she examined more than 5,500 death scenes, 680 of which were homicides. Perfect for fans of Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell, as well as fans of the CSI shows, What the Dead Know tells the stunning real life-story of a career dedicated to investigating death, and how it brought the author to life.
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