The Poisoner's Handbook: Killer Chemistry

In the late 19th and early 20th century, New York City's coroner position was considered a political plum—requiring connections, but little or no medical experience. Shortly after WWI, Charles Norris set out to make a change; despite opposition from the mayor, Norris was named Manhattan's chief medical examiner, and was determined to bring new scientific methods to forensic procedures in order to solve suspicious deaths. Directed by Rob Rapley and narrated by Oliver Platt, this PBS-aired American Experience documentary—based in part on Deborah Blum's fine history The Poisoner's Handbook—concerns the turbulent but productive tenure of Norris and his toxicology expert Alexander Gettler, who together championed new chemical processes in homicide investigations. Poisons were often the murderer's weapons of choice, particularly arsenic and cyanide. Norris and Gettler worked to separate accidents and negligence from lethal intent. The case of one serial poisoner ultimately resulted in three separate trials, with Gettler defending the accused one time, but years later helping to convict her in the case of another murder, for which she was executed. Another bizarre incident involved a man who woke up from a drunken stupor next to a female corpse; thinking that he murdered the woman, the man panicked—dismembering and disposing of the body. Gettler's subsequent investigation revealed that the woman actually died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning while the "murderer" lay drunk. The two medical experts waged a long campaign against Prohibition, decrying the "mass poisoning" that ensued because a blind eye was turned to deadly, homemade alcoholic drinks peddled in "smoke bars." Big business also often clashed with Norris and Gettler over unregulated workplaces in which workers handled dangerous elements such as lead and radium. During their long careers, both men examined thousands of bodies, and changed medical history. Despite differing personalities, they helped forge a bond between forensic science and government. Likely to appeal to both history buffs and amateur sleuths, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)