Benecke Forensics presents

Spontaneous Human Cobustion (SHC): Is it True? (National Geographic TV USA & International)

With (alphabetically) Larry Arnold (Parascientist), Mark Benecke (Forensic Biologist), Jonathan Halperin (Producer), Elise Pfannenstiel Kirk (Associate Producer), Howard Shack (Director of Photography)

Movie will be shown internationally starting in Summer 2005, details will be announced here on this page as soon as they are available. U.S. show air dates start April 26, 2005 (10 PM and 1 AM Eastern Time) & April 30, 2005 (4 PM Eastern Time) from then on on international rotation (starting June/July 2005 in the USA) until The End of The Days I guess.

[National Geographic TV on Vampires in Transylvania (Romania)] [National Geographic on the Skull & Teeth of Eva & Adolf Hitler in Moscow (Russia)]

All pics (c) Mark Benecke

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[National Geographic TV on Vampires in Transylvania (Romania)] [National Geographic on the Skull & Teeth of Eva & Adolf Hitler in Moscow (Russia)]


E-mails from Viewers


From: krisxxxxxxxxx@ netzero.com
Subject: Hello
Date: 26. April 2005 05:12:47 MESZ
To: mark@ benecke.com


Just saw you on National Geographic - Is it Real? - Spontaneous Human Combustion!

Thought you were very cute and I love your skepticism...yes the truth is very beautiful!

Kristen

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From: krisxxxxxxxx@ netzero.com Subject: Hello
Date: 26. April 2005 05:21:18 MESZ
To: forensic@ benecke.com


I sent an e-mail to another address, not sure if that was the right one.

Anyway, you are quite a cute one! Wow, you blew me away...

Keep doing what you do!

Kristen

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From: EVANxxxxxxx@ pope.af.mil
Date: 26. April 2005 05:55:15 MESZ
To: forensic@ benecke.com
Subject: SHC, unused evidence?


I watched the your documentory on National Geographic TV concerning SHC, it got me to thinking about the chemicals a body can produce to instigate or assist SHC.

I remember reading an article about dieting versus drug abuse. The study compared the smilarities between using Methamphetamines and going on a meat only diet.ÊFrom what I can recall, dieting on meat products only, causes the body to produce or excrete ether ( I can't remember the scientific term for the process), which is excreted through the skin and is noticable by the odor. The same is true for people that abuse Methamphetamines. The body begins to "eat" itself and produces the same effects as eating a meat only diet. The body "reeks" of ether.

Could this be a possible factor contibuting to the occurance of SHC? Has this hypothosis been tested or evaluated?

I have heard nothing concerning this possible cause during your show, or seen any other use of this possibility being used as evidence or at least a simple factor when considering the plausibility ofÊactual SHC.

What is your take on this subject?

Evan Britton, SrA, USAF
C-130 Instructor Loadmaster
2AS, Pope AFB NC

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From: christy nose (chrisxxxxxx@yahoo.com)
Date: 2. Mai 2005 04:11:43 MESZ
To: mark@benecke.com
Subject: Wow!

Wow! I loved your guys' show. It was really interesting to learn about different theories on how S.H.C. could occur. I actually was inspired enough to do a little more reasearch and write a paper for school. Hopefully an A paper. If it is. I owe you! Thanks for the inspiration.

Christanna

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From: Elizabeth Nicholas (enicxxxxxx@yahoo.com)
Date: 2. Mai 2005 21:13:27 MESZ
To: forensic@benecke.com


Dear Dr. Benecke: I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your programs on TV. I think the work you do is fascinating and I admire the way you have been able to "debunk" myths and superstitions, as in the spontaneous human combustion show on the National Geographic Channel. I believe it is very important to search for the real scientific explanation for any unexplained phenomena, rather than to fall back on old superstitions. And yet you were very respectful to the other scientist that did believe in SHC.

Right now, where I live in the United States, there is constant TV coverage of an "apparition" of the virgin Mary under a bridge in Chicago. I wish you could do a show that would set people straight regarding the so-called supernatural. It seems silly, but so many Americans still believe in all this.

Anyway, thanks for the great work you do!

Best Wishes,

Elizabeth Nicholas

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From: MONTICLIFT@xxxxx.com
Date: 24. Juni 2005 06:18:03 MESZ
To: forensic at benecke dot com
Subject: Re: National Geographic Special SHC


Hello Dr. Benecke!

My name is Mack,

I have just watched the special on SCH on the National Geographic Channel and it was incredible!!! I Have always wondered about SCH ... Could it be possible?? "Truth by itself can be very beautiful" a great Benecke quote for sure! I enjoyed it a great deal! I hope to have the honor of meeting you someday... I have little knowledge of SHC... However I am 100% positive that Dr. Mark Benecke is quite H.O.T.!!!! :)

Wishing you great success -

Mack Pritchard, Charlotte NC, USA

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From: Miss Ann Thropist, fnh8peeps at xxxx.com
Date: 15. Juli 2005 03:13:37 MESZ
To: forensic at benecke dot com
Subject: Re: Natl Geo Spontaneous Human Combustion Program ...
Reply-To: Miss Ann Thropist, fnh8peeps at xxxxx.com

I've been interested in the phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion for years and enjoyed the National Geographic program which you participated in. I know you'll probably find this a very odd and non-intellectual question/request, but I MUST ask ... where did you get the fabulous white (or was it silver?) brief case with the skull on it?!?! I'm a systems engineer and am not into any bizarre gothic trends, but dearly love skeletons and would be thrilled to add a brief case like the one you used on the program to my collection. I do hope you'll please let me know if the case or even just its logo is available for sale. And, if so, how I can obtain one. I'll even take one of your old ones! :)

Thanks so very much,

Ayse xxxxxx

hy ayse

i did it myself -- i guess you mean the aluminium thing, right? it s from a store for construction materials, they sell the boxes/briefcases for drilling machines i guess

the logo is the logo of my "company" but i do not have any to give away, it s a total pain in the neck to cut them out, seriously, and it s even worse to get them sticking to the freakin box

all the best from germany!

yours

dr. doom



[National Geographic on the Skull & Teeth of Eva & Adolf Hitler in Moscow (Russia)] [National Geographic TV on Vampires in Transylvania (Romania)] [More about SHC]

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Dipl.-Biol. Dr. rer. medic. Mark Benecke ENGLISH TEXT, Certified & Sworn In Forensic Biologist, International Forensic Research & Consulting, Postfach 250411, 50520 Cologne, E-mail forensic@benecke.com, Phone/SMS/Mailbox +49-173-287-3136, http://www.benecke.com/. Last update of this page July 15, 2005