Dianne (gardngal) reviewed on 12/22/2014 + 268 more book reviews

The topic of this book could have been unbearably boring, but is not. It is the story of the medical detective work and the birth of forensic medicine. The author uses stories of true crimes throughout. The scientists at the dawn of the 20th century, Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler, were the pioneers of investigative medicine. Gettler is called the "father of toxicology and forensic chemistry in the U.S." and his influence "lives on in most of the toxicology labs in the country." The era of Prohibition was largely responsible for many poisoning deaths, based on the additives in illegal liquor, as well as medicines created for ailments without any knowledge of the danger of the chemicals they contained. This was also true of industrial applications. It was the birth of the FDA, which had no real regulatory power until 1938. These men brought science into the criminal justice system, earning respect in courts, D.A.'s offices, and police departments. I loved this book and the little known history - it was completely fascinating! D.

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