If I may add... the book was even better. A real page turner, and it gives one a real appreciation for the analytical methods, standards, and laws we have now when you see how little there was then
"The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine
in Jazz Age New York," by Deborah Blum. It also pairs well with a few episodes of "Boardwalk Empire." There are at least two minor plot lines that seem to come right out of the cases in the book. Lastly, sitting around reading something called "The Poisoner's Handbook" is a great way to worry people who spot you reading it.
Don
Donald Abramowitz, CIH
Environmental Health & Safety Officer
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
Good morning--
As just a note to the group....I just watched a show on PBS American Experience called "The Poisoner's Handbook". It was extremely well done & it shows how far we've come in chemistry & safety.
It's about how forensic science was developed & how it became part of the justice system. It covers the careers of Charles Norris (1st med. examiner) & Alexander Gettler (head of toxicology lab) in New York City starting in 1918.
The actual story was fascinating (I know...science geek alert), but the use of truly hazardous materials in consumer products & in workplace exposures shown throughout the narrative was an amazing illustration of why we do what we do & how far we've come in 100 years.
If you have the opportunity, it's well worth the 2 hr run time to watch it.
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