EMT fired after posting pic of murder victim

[50-65 205]

On the list of stupid things to post to Facebook, photos from a murder scene have to be right up there at the top. Apparently, this never occurred to Mark Musarella, a now-former emergency medical technician (EMT) at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, New York.

While on EMT duty on March 30, the 46-year-old retired police officer was called to a murder in the West Brighton area of New York's forgotten borough. According to Fire Chief, while he was on the scene, he snapped a few pics of the 26-year-old victim, Caroline Wimmer, lying dead on the floor of her apartment with the cord of a hairdryer wrapped around her throat. For some inexplicable reason, Musarella turned right around and posted the images on his Facebook page -- as expected, he was swiftly fired by the hospital and the NYPD was notified.

What's worse, one source told the Staten Island Advance that Musarella may not have even learned his lesson: Although the murder scene picture has been taken down, someone with access to his profile told the newspaper that Musarella's Facebook page still had a photo from a car crash he may have responded to.

If you have to be told that posting photos of a murder scene is inappropriate, then something is clearly wrong. [From: SI Live, via: Fire Chief]

http://www.switched.com/2009/05/21/emt-pos...k-gets-fired%2F

When will people ever learn?

[x129K 1,393]

These types of thing REALLY, REALLY get under my skin - as it only takes one or two JERKS to ruin access to emergency scenes for legit photographers.

[joetnymedic 43]

I take scene shots, but I NEVER take pics of a victim. I might not be going to calls as a medic anymore, but I still watch what I shoot. I also make sure I don't take any shots making anyone look bad. Maybe that's why I don't have any problems when I take pics on scene. As for this guy....What was he thinking? I've seen a few scene shots like the one described but they sure weren't posted. Being a former cop on top of it, you'd think he would know better. If he loses his card, it's all on him. WAS967, remember what happened over the comment that was requested to be made to a newspaper by someone?

[WAS967 97]

WAS967, remember what happened over the comment that was requested to be made to a newspaper by someone?

I seem to recall a pissed off director but other than that there were quite a few laughs because it was the bloody TRUTH.

(Or are you talking about the MC information given out by PN?)

Edited May 22, 2009 by WAS967

[helicopper 1,050]

These types of thing REALLY, REALLY get under my skin - as it only takes one or two JERKS to ruin access to emergency scenes for legit photographers.

This wasn't access for a legit photographer. This was a crime scene and the media/buff photogs would never have had the access to take photos of the victim. This idiot violated the trust of the people he's supposed to be caring for and deserves to be stripped of his certification. This is right up there with stealing from a patient.

I've taken photos of scenes before, and used them in training programs to highlight our job, but posting them on facebook (or whatever site like it) is absurd.

Disgusting!

[x129K 1,393]

This wasn't access for a legit photographer. This was a crime scene and the media/buff photogs would never have had the access to take photos of the victim. This idiot violated the trust of the people he's supposed to be caring for and deserves to be stripped of his certification. This is right up there with stealing from a patient.

I've taken photos of scenes before, and used them in training programs to highlight our job, but posting them on facebook (or whatever site like it) is absurd.

Disgusting!

Good, accurate point! I agree 100000000000 percent!

[Tapout 42]

This wasn't access for a legit photographer. This was a crime scene and the media/buff photogs would never have had the access to take photos of the victim. This idiot violated the trust of the people he's supposed to be caring for and deserves to be stripped of his certification. This is right up there with stealing from a patient.

I've taken photos of scenes before, and used them in training programs to highlight our job, but posting them on facebook (or whatever site like it) is absurd.

Disgusting!

Agreed 100%-- truly disgusting. This stupid, disrespectful POS probably took this pic and posted it because the decedent was pretty. You know, in this business you develop a pretty morbid sense of humor and way of seeing things, but this guy crossed that line into the realm of "Oh good god- oh no he didn't!"

Now, regarding previous actual crime scene and/or AI pics... I've seen some doozies. None pretty-- all gruesome and definitely NONE for public viewing. There's this 1 guy that comes to mind... hit on the Hutch several times... nothing recognizable except for ONE EYE looking directly at whoever was unlucky enough to come across that photo!!!!! Ugh!