The Shark Attack Experiment

(Disclaimer/Warning: this story contains themes of gore, tragedy, and violent death. I understand entirely that my more controversial work is not for everyone, and that is fine. After all, everyone has their own tastes and preferences in literature just like everything else. If you do go past this point, I thank you and most heartily hope you enjoy reading it. For those who do not wish to do so, I hope you will give some of my more lighthearted work like Katie's Quest a read Thank you, and please do enjoy.)

Dr. Roger Kirk, professor of forensic pathology at San Francisco University, nodded at his students as they filed into the classroom. “All right, everyone, welcome back. Today, we are going to be continuing our course on fatal injuries inflicted by predatory animals, and our topic today is sharks.”

As the students settled in, Dr. Kirk couldn’t help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction. While he had brought in numerous photographs and videos of shark attacks to illustrate his point, he longed for the opportunity to show his students an actual victim that they could examine and perform an autopsy on. It would be the ultimate learning experience. Still, he persisted. “These photographs are graphic, I should warn you. Please be aware that these are real people, and be respectful. These photographs are meant to educate, not to shock for the sake of it, and some of them are even being used with permission from the families of some of the victims. Let us use the tragic circumstances of each victim to better understand the science behind shark attacks and hopefully prevent future incidents from occurring. Now, let us begin with our first case...”

He clicked on the first slide. “Case 1: The victim is a female, 16 years old. The attack occurred in shallow water, only waist-deep, along the coast of Australia. The victim sustained injuries consistent with a great white shark. The autopsy revealed multiple lacerations and severe puncture wounds across the lower extremities, groin area, and legs. The victim’s cause of death was exsanguination, or blood loss, as a result of the severe injuries sustained. There was also evidence of pre- and post-mortem mutilation, indicating that the shark returned to the scene of the attack several times after the initial strike. The victim was already deceased by the time lifeguards reached her. The attack lasted only a total of three minutes, from the initial bite to the victim’s death.”

The class leaned forward to get a better look at the gruesome images that followed. Dr. Kirk continued. “Now, compare the pattern of these injuries to those sustained by Case #2.” The slideshow switched to another image, this one of a young boy. “This 12-year-old male was attacked by a tiger shark while at a beach in Hawaii. The attack occurred in deeper water, around 12 feet. The attack began when the shark attacked while the victim was swimming, severing his right arm. Witnesses reported hearing a loud thrashing noise and then saw the boy surface, screaming and clutching his stump. The shark then continued to attack, inflicting multiple severe lacerations and puncture wounds across the chest, abdomen, and thighs. Rescuers managed to pull him from the water and attempted to stem the blood loss, but he died as paramedics arrived on the scene. After his parents gave their consent, a team of researchers conducted an autopsy and found that the cause of death was exsanguination as a result of the severe injuries sustained. The shark’s teeth marks on the boy’s body were smaller and more numerous than those seen in Case #1, suggesting that this shark was smaller in size. The pattern of injuries also differed, with the focus being on the limbs and torso instead of the lower extremities. The time between the initial attack and the victim’s death was longer in this case, lasting around five minutes.”

He clicked to a third slide. “Finally, we move on to Case #3.” A third body was shown, that of another female. “This 17-year-old female was attacked by a bull shark while swimming in freshwater. The shark attack occurred in approximately 15 feet of water, in water with very low visibility. The attack began when the shark tore into the victim’s buttocks. Witnesses reported hearing a scream and then saw the girl thrashing about in the water. After this first attack, the shark swam away briefly, leaving the girl bleeding as she floated in the water and attempted to reach shore. At this point, lifeguards and other beachgoers were already swimming out to try to rescue her. However, before they could reach her, the shark attacked again, this time severely mauling her left upper thigh and severing her femoral artery. Statements given by those who swam out to try and save her all agreed that the shark continued to maul the girl as she lay facedown in the water, attacking several more times before disappearing shortly before they reached her. They were able to pull her to shore, but she was quickly pronounced dead at the scene from severe blood loss.”

Kirk gestured at the image of the girl’s mutilated body, lying in what looked to be an examination room of some kind. “This attack is one of a growing number of bull shark attacks in the interior of the United States. Bull sharks are unique in that they can dwell in freshwater as well as saltwater, and therefore pose a unique and very serious risk to people who may live nowhere near the ocean. While coastal beaches often have one or more methods in place to help prevent shark attacks, freshwater beaches, lakes, and rivers are often unprepared for attacks of this nature. Bull sharks have been found as far inland as 1,000 miles from the ocean, and this case highlights the need for increased awareness and safety measures in these areas. In the context of Case #3, the parents, like those of our second victim, allowed an autopsy to be performed. It was discovered that, while her wounds were extremely severe, they may have been survivable had she been pulled from the water more quickly. If they had possessed a fast-moving water-craft or raft of sorts, for example, and assuming her rescuers were trained to make tourniquets and help stop the extreme bleeding--she might have been able to hang on long enough for paramedics to arrive and stabilize her.”

“It’s just so sad,” a young man remarked quietly. “I mean, I get that we’re not supposed to get emotional about our work, but those poor kids, they had their whole lives ahead of them. I can’t imagine what their parents went through.”

Dr. Kirk nodded understandingly. “These incidents are tragic and heartbreaking for all involved. No one here is denying that these three victims were people, with hopes, dreams, and futures, whose lives were tragically cut short. It's natural to feel compassion, but you must be mindful not to let it interfere with the scientific nature of your work. As forensic pathologists, you may miss crucial details or pieces of evidence if you allow your emotions to cloud your judgment. There will be times where being able to compartmentalize your emotions manage them constructively will be what allows you to find evidence you might otherwise overlook in a more emotional state. You must be able to manage your emotions when facing cases like these, not just for the sake of the deceased and those they leave behind, but also for your own mental health and well-being. Burn-out is a real danger in this field, and it’s important to maintain professional boundaries and support systems to ensure that you can continue to do your job effectively.”

“So...we train ourselves not to feel sympathy?” asked a young woman with a British accent.

Dr. Kirk sighed, shaking his head. “Compassion and sympathy are two different things. Sympathy means you can understand what the person is feeling. Compassion goes one step further. It’s the willingness to relieve the suffering of another, understanding that the people involved are going through a difficult time, and wanting to help them, rather than just feeling sorry for them. But in our line of work, it’s important to maintain a certain amount of professional distance. Rather than not caring, the point is being able to care without letting it interfere with our ability to do our jobs. Learning how to do this is the most important and most difficult skill you will ever learn. It is something of a stereotype of forensic scientists that we feel nothing, but this could not be further from the truth. Compassion is the biggest reason we do what we do, but if we are not careful, it can hinder our work and our ability to bring some measure of closure and peace of mind to those who grieve."

“Why would the parents agree to let their kids’ bodies be used as cases for study?” A young woman named Amy asked.

Dr. Kirk paused, taking a moment to consider his response. Amy was one of his brightest, most promising students and always asked very thought-provoking questions. “The parents, like any parents who have lost a child in such a tragic manner, were desperate for answers. They wanted to know why this happened, what could have been done to prevent it, and how they could honor the memory of their children. They felt that by allowing researchers to study the evidence, they could contribute to a greater understanding of shark behavior and, hopefully, any evidence or insight gleaned from their childrens’ remains would help prevent further tragedies from occurring, whether by helping further our understanding of why sharks attack or helping public officials create newer, more effective safety measures. It was a selfless and courageous decision on the part of both victims’ parents, born out of deepest pain and loss. Indeed, in the context of Case #3, the attack led to the eventual passage of the Interior Beaches Safety Act, which now requires all beaches, nationwide, to possess a method of fast-moving water travel to reach shark attack victims more quickly, and that all beach personnel must have advanced, not just basic, training to help shark attack victims remain alive long enough for paramedics to arrive on scene.”

“I remember hearing about that,” a young woman named Emily said, nodding thoughtfully. “It was passed just two years ago.”

Kirk nodded. “Yes. It’s a very powerful, very real example of how our work as forensic pathologists can have a positive and lasting impact. It also highlights the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the research community and the public officials who are charged with enacting safety measures. In the end, we’re all working towards the same goal: to protect innocent lives from harm. While it may not bring their daughter back, it is safe to say that Case #3′s parents found some closure and comfort in the knowledge that her tragic death was not in vain.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because,” Kirk said calmly, “I was part of the team that did the autopsy, and spoke with them before and after the procedure. I also--and I do not like to toot my own horn, so to speak, about this--was one of the experts that provided testimony to Congress when the Act was under consideration.”

“Look at Dr. Kirk,” another student teased. “Rubbing elbows in the halls of power!”

Kirk shuffled his feet modestly. “Well, it’s important to engage with the policymakers if we want our work to have any sort of impact beyond the lab,” he said. “What was far more meaningful to me, and what will be far more meaningful to you, was being able to see the look on her parents’ faces when the Act became law. Providing that sense of closure and allowing the relatives of the deceased to start the long, painful process of healing is one of the most rewarding aspects of doing what we do.”

The students observed this with somber nods.

“Now, returning to the topic at hand,” Kirk said. “Case #3 is one of a growing number of bull shark attacks in the interior of the United States. Bull sharks are unique in that they can dwell in freshwater as well as saltwater, and therefore pose a unique and very serious risk to people who may live nowhere near the ocean. While coastal beaches often have one or more methods in place to help prevent shark attacks, freshwater beaches, lakes, and rivers are often unprepared for attacks of this nature. Bull sharks have been found as far inland as 1,000 miles from the ocean, and this case highlights the need for increased awareness and safety measures in these areas. Shark attacks are rare, but when they do occur, the victim’s life may depend on the level of preparedness and the speed at which authorities respond. Death from blood loss can occur in as little as three to five minutes, and in all three of these cases, the time it took for the victims to be pulled from the water and receive medical attention was a critical deciding factor.”

He gestured at all three of the bodies. “The great white, the tiger shark, and the bull shark are considered the three deadliest sharks to humans. Let us take a moment to compare and contrast the types of bite wounds each of these sharks inflict. The shape and pattern of these injuries is an important piece of evidence when trying to deduce the species of shark responsible. The Great White, as you can see, tends to inflict larger, more ragged wounds, while the tiger shark’s bite is characterized by deeper, more puncture-like injuries. Its teeth are much smaller and more numerous and are curved rather than triangular. This means that, when a tiger shark attacks a human, the wound is often more circular. The bull shark’s bite, on the other hand, is more like a combination of the two. Its teeth are more triangular than the tiger shark’s, and while they are curved, they are not as sharply curved as the tiger shark’s, either.” Kirk brought up another slide showing a tooth from each shark side by side. “This allows the bull shark to have the best of both worlds, so to speak. It can inflict larger, more ragged wounds while also slicing through flesh and bone with ease.”

He removed his glasses, sighing. “Of course, pictures only tell so much. Ideally, I would have you all observe me performing an autopsy on a shark attack victim, so we could learn, as a class, how to piece together the story behind an attack, how to determine the species responsible, and how to identify the cause of death. Yet, there have been no shark attacks in this area for quite some time. Not that I’m wishing for one, mind. Shark attacks leave behind a devastating wake of physical, emotional, and psychological trauma, even when the victim survives. But I have long believed that the best way to learn is to learn firsthand, by doing and seeing. Alas, we must make do with what we have.”

A student raised his hand. “You seem passionate about this particular subject, Doctor. But shark attack events happen so rarely. Why is this particular topic so important to you?”

Kirk paused, his eyes distant as he thought about the question. “Shark attacks are indeed rare,” he said, finally. “But when they do happen, they often leave a lasting, devastating impact not only on the victim and their loved ones but on the entire community. The fear and misconceptions that can arise in the aftermath of an attack can be just as damaging as the physical injuries themselves. My goal, as a scientist and educator, is to help dispel those fears and misconceptions by providing a better understanding of these amazing creatures and the role they play in our ecosystem. I believe that by arming people with knowledge and facts, we can be better equipped to coexist with these animals and protect them while minimizing the number of shark attacks that occur each year. Sharks are incredible animals: they are impossibly perfect predatory machines, honed over millions of years of evolution. The sharks that killed these three unfortunate young people were not acting out of deliberate malice. They were simply doing what nature has programmed them to do: hunt for food. It is our duty as stewards of this planet to understand them and to find a way to live harmoniously alongside them.”

He continued his lecture for another hour and a half, doing his best to teach his pupils using the materials available, but his disappointment in not having an actual shark attack victim to examine was palpable. Amy listened carefully to every word; she was only a sophomore, but since enrolling in SFU’s forensic science program, she and Kirk had grown close. He was a real mentor to her, almost a father figure, and she’d already learned so much from him. Kirk was undoubtedly right in saying that all his students would learn far more from an actual body than from a slideshow.

An idea entered her head, then. A radical, almost unthinkable idea, one that would challenge every rule and put to the test every norm of scientific ethics. An idea that made her start shivering in her chair with fear, and yet, somehow, it stayed in her mind and lodged itself there, like a deep splinter.

When Kirk finally finished his lecture, he said, “Your homework is to contact the International Shark Attack File and choose one of their cases for study and analysis. You will write a short five-page paper on the case you have chosen, covering the attack itself, the victim, the shark involved, and the aftermath. You will also provide your recommendations for how communities can better prevent future shark attacks, using the circumstances of your chosen case to back up your claims. I will expect these papers by the end of the week. Any questions?”

A young Hispanic student, Esperanza, raised her hand. “Dr. Kirk...I feel I should disclose to you that when I was in high school, I lost a friend to a shark attack. I’ve been keeping it together through this lesson as best I can, but I fear that, on this particular subject, I won’t be able to remain impartial. It may even qualify as a conflict of interest. May I...may I be excused from this particular part of your course?”

Kirk winced sympathetically. “Esperanza...I wish you would have told me this before class began,” he said gently. “I fear I may have deeply upset you with some of the images I’ve shown during this lesson. You did not need to put yourself through that--doubtless what I’ve said here today dredged up some terrible memories. As I’ve said before, your mental health is one of the most important things to keep an eye on as you continue your journey into the field of forensic science. If you feel like you need to withdraw from this part of my class, I will allow you to do so, and you will take no hit to your grade point average. I’m sure we can come up with a project or something to help you make up for whatever you miss. However, it may also be beneficial for you to share your friend’s story with the class, so we can glean some insight from it. You may even find that doing so gives you a sense of closure. It is completely up to you, and I also encourage you to speak to our university counselor to make sure you have all the support you need. You are a valuable member of this class, and I would hate to see you leave.”

Esperanza nodded, biting her lip. “Th-thank you, Doctor.”

Amy glanced at the girl, feeling a pang of sympathy for her. She wished she could say something to make it better, but knew that sometimes there weren’t any words. She also felt a new sense of urgency about the idea percolating in her head. Esperanza’s confession only served to harden her resolve. Maybe, if Dr. Kirk heard her out and she managed to persuade him to agree to it, the data gleaned as a result would help prevent such attacks in the future. As soon as the rest of the class had filed out of the room, she went up to Dr. Kirk, who was still packing io his things.

“Doctor?” she asked.

Kirk looked up and gave her a warm smile. “Ah, Amy. What can I do for you?”

“Can...” Amy swallowed nervously. “Can I talk to you in your office?”

“Of course. I’m sure you have many questions about the lesson today, as usual,” Kirk replied with a chuckle. It had almost become routine; he and Amy would sit in his office, sometimes for several hours, going over the material in each lesson in greater detail as Amy asked one question after another. Her enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge made Kirk’s heart swell with pride, and he had come to enjoy their after-class conversations very much.

He led her to his office and gestured for her to take a seat on the couch. “So, what’s on your mind today, Amy?” he asked, sitting down in his comfortable chair. “Where would you like to start?”

Amy took a shuddering breath and did her best to steel herself. “Actually...what I wanted to talk about was something specific you mentioned during your lesson today. You spoke of how you believe students learn best by seeing with their own eyes and touching with their own hands, and how you wished there was a shark attack victim for us to do an autopsy on together.”

Kirk nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Indeed. What about it?”

Amy’s heart pounded in her chest and her palms became sweaty. “Er...well...I have an idea on how to fix that,” she said. It took every ounce of self-control she had to keep her voice even. “On how to provide a victim, I mean.”

Kirk’s eyebrows shot up. “You do?” he asked, clearly surprised. “How? Has there been an attack today?”

“N-no.” Amy shook her head. “There hasn’t, at least not that I’ve heard. I...” she bit her lip hard enough to almost draw blood, then sucked in a sharp breath. “Doctor, before I say anything more, please just agree to hear me out, okay? Please don’t freak out and please, please don’t think I’ve gone crazy or had some sort of mental break. Can you promise me that?”

Dr. Kirk studied Amy’s face for a moment, her expression earnest and sincere. He couldn’t recall ever seeing her like this before; normally she was so composed and self-assured. He nodded slowly, his brow furrowing with concern. “I promise, Amy. I will hear you out, and I won’t judge you. I won’t say anything until you’ve finished saying your piece. You have my word. You have always been a very rational, very mature young woman, not prone to flights of fancy. Please, tell me what you wish to tell me.”

Amy met his eyes squarely, then. “I think that the most efficient way to procure a shark attack victim for study would be for me to volunteer to be one.” Kirk’s jaw dropped with shock, and she continued hurriedly. “Dr. Kirk, just think about it for a moment. We have never been able to study a shark attack as it occurs before--all we have, as far as I have been able to tell from my research, is grainy, shaky footage, photographs, and eyewitness accounts. Think about what we could learn about predatory shark behavior if we could observe a shark attack as it happens in a controlled, scientific, and closely monitored way. We could even do it right here, in San Francisco, using one of the university’s research boats. You know those boats have underwater cameras that could record the whole event in crystal-clear quality. You and I could take the whole class out onto the water, after which I would jump in and allow one or more sharks to attack me while you and everyone else observed and recorded it.

Think of how many lives might be saved with the data gleaned from this kind of experiment! You could analyze the footage with the class, frame by frame, after you got back, and you could also perform the autopsy on me when it was all over, assuming you can retrieve my body and the shark or sharks leave enough of me intact to make an autopsy viable. Doctor, almost everything we know about shark attacks comes from data gathered after the attack has already happened, and we’ve learned a lot. But just imagine how much we could learn if you were able to observe an attack from start to finish! We could learn so much more about how sharks choose, stalk, and move around their victims before striking, which could help us find new ways to deter such behavior. Think of the three people whose bodies you showed in class today, Dr. Kirk. How many other parents might be spared that kind of tragedy with the findings gathered from this experiment? And before you ask, no, I’m not suicidal or anything like that. I’m not eager for death, I don’t want it, but I’m also rational enough to understand that the good that may come from my demise will far outweigh whatever temporary pain and terror I might experience. For centuries, men of science have made the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. They didn’t flinch, and I won’t either.”

Dr. Kirk sat back heavily in his chair.

“Amy,” he finally said. “This is...I don’t know what to say. On the one hand, you make a compelling argument despite the radical nature of your idea. The opportunity for us to study a shark attack in such a controlled and carefully monitored environment is something that has, until now, eluded us. And the potential for learning how sharks choose their victims, stalk them, and so forth... could be invaluable. It could indeed save lives. But on the other hand, what you are proposing could open me and the university up to all sorts of allegations and legal consequences, to say nothing of the way they conflict with the modern rules of scientific ethics. More, think of those you would leave behind, your mother and younger sister. How do you think this would impact them?”

He paused for a moment, looking searchingly into Amy’s eyes. “And I must admit, I am concerned about the...the emotional toll this might take on you. Even if you were to survive the attack, and even if you were to be willing to put the experience behind you, I can’t help but wonder how something like this might affect you psychologically. I’ve seen firsthand how survivors of shark attacks can be haunted by their experiences for the rest of their lives. I would not want to be the cause of that kind of suffering.”

Amy gave him a lopsided smile. “Doctor. These are great white sharks we are talking about. San Francisco Bay is infamous for them, and you know how big they can get. I have no realistic expectation of survival once I go into the water.”

“But your loved ones? Your mother and sister?”

“I’ve thought about that, Doctor, and honestly, I think it’s best not to tell them. Not yet, anyway. I do not think they would understand the necessity of it. Their love for me and their emotional attachment might make it almost impossible for them to see the bigger picture, the greater good that could come of it. And I could not bear the thought of them being upset or feeling guilty over my decision, because that would make me feel guilty too and undermine my resolve. I love them with all my heart, but the parents of Esperanza’s friend and the parents of Cases 1, 2, and 3 loved their children too. I am doing this for them, and all those that might be saved from attacks in the future. I understand your concerns, and I respect them. But I ask you to consider the possibility that my sacrifice could lead to so many breakthroughs! What is my life compared to that? Doctor, I am not asking you to make this decision lightly or to do anything that goes against your conscience. But please, please at least give it serious consideration before you give me an answer.”

Dr. Kirk let out a long sigh. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk, steepled his fingers, and closed his eyes for a moment, as if in prayer. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft and measured. “Amy,” he began, “I cannot deny that there is indeed a great deal of merit to the arguments you have presented. The potential for scientific advancement is...intoxicating. The possible breakthroughs, as you put it, are the sort of thing most scientists go their whole lives without accomplishing. But I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to go through with this. Not only am I concerned about the ethical implications and the legal ramifications, but I simply cannot bear the thought of being responsible, even tangentially, for the pain and suffering you will endure.”

“You won’t be!” Amy insisted. “I understand your concerns, Doctor! Truly, I do! It’s not that I’m afraid--I’m terrified! I'm not suicidal. I'd definitely prefer to survive what I'm asking to do, but I have made my peace with the fact that I probably won't. What matters in the experiment I’m proposing is not my pain and suffering, but the knowledge and understanding that could be gained from it. The lives that could be saved as a result, the parents that won’t have their children’s lives brutally cut short! Doctor, I have never asked you for special treatment or any favors before, but I ask you now: please consider it. Please weigh the potential benefits against the risks. To make an informed decision. Weigh my death with the big picture. I’ll sign as many waivers and liability forms as it takes to make sure you and the university are both protected from any legal or professional consequences. But please, just think about it. Please, doctor? For me?”

Dr. Kirk’s hands shook a little as he ran them over his face. He was painfully aware of the conflict raging within him; the part of him that was a scientist, driven by the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of humanity, and the part of him that was a doctor, bound by the Hippocratic oath to not harm. But would it be harmful, if Amy consented to it?

“...I will think about it,” he said at long last. “I will do so out of consideration for your exemplary work and the bond we have forged as mentor and student. I cannot promise you anything at this point, but I will review your proposal in the strictest of confidence, and with your permission, I would also like to consult with some of my colleagues about it privately. None of what we have spoken of here today will go beyond that small circle. Would you consent to that?”

Amy’s eyes shone with tears of relief, and she nodded vigorously. “Yes, Doctor. Of course. I understand completely. I trust you to make the best decision for everyone involved. Thank you, thank you so much. Amy let out a shaky breath, fighting back tears of relief. “I will be patient, and I will wait as long as it takes for you to reach your decision. In the meantime, I will continue with my research, just as if nothing has changed. I will not allow my circumstances to interfere with my work, and I will continue to be the dedicated, passionate student that you have always known.”

“I know,” Kirk assured her. “And for my part, I will do everything in my power to ensure that your sacrifice, should it come to that, will not be in vain. In the meantime, I urge you to keep up with your studies and focus on your future.”

Dr. Kirk’s words hung heavy in the air as he rose from his chair and offered his hand to Amy. She took it gratefully, the warmth of his touch a brief respite from the cold grip of fear that had been tightening around her heart. As she left the office, she could feel his gaze on her back, and she knew that he was still weighing the decision.

Kirk reached into his desk, removed a small flask, and took a swig of fine Scotch. Then he put the flask away and stared out the window. The view was a familiar one, and yet today it seemed to carry a new weight. He thought about Amy, her brilliant mind, and her unwavering determination. He thought about the risks and the rewards, and the responsibility that rested on his shoulders. He thought about his failures and regrets, and the legacy he wanted to leave behind.

He reached over to the phone on his desk and began making calls. First, he dialed the number of a colleague at another university specializing in marine predator research, Dr. Gresham. They had worked together on many occasions and he trusted her implicitly. “Dr. Gresham, this is Dr. Kirk over at SFU. Yes, it’s been some time. How are you? ...Yes, I’m well, it’s very good to hear from you too. I have an...idea for an experiment that a student brought before me today, but the experiment is so radical that I cannot in good conscience decide whether to allow it, at least not by myself. No, I’m afraid I cannot go into detail here--it would take far too much time. I would like to set up a conference call with you, the university’s legal department, and several others whose expertise I will need. Does Tuesday at 10:30 work for you? Excellent, thank you. I appreciate this. Yes, see you then. Goodbye.”