The dossier
The compassionate coroner of NCIS
Ducky Mallard possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of history, literature, and human anatomy. He approaches death not with clinical coldness, but with immense empathy, speaking directly to the corpses as if they were old friends waiting to tell him their secrets.
David McCallum anchored the procedural for two decades with a warm, sophisticated performance. His massive intellect and deeply gentle demeanor provided a vital, comforting counterweight to the intense, fast-paced world of federal investigations.
He was the undisputed heart of the team. Ducky proved that solving a murder requires more than forensic science; it requires taking the time to actually listen to the stories of the dead.