American Experience: Poisoner's Handbook

I have watched this show many times and I still enjoy it. If you were ever curious about how Forensic techniques to detect poisons were developed this is the show to watch.

A look at the creation of forensics in NYC and the history of deaths and murders. I have watched this program 5 times throughout the years and find it captivating. It has some gruesome tales of the past and exposes the lack of knowledge regarding poisoning and death during the 1920’s. How far we have come in recognizing causes of death and the tales told by the bodies of the deceased. Very tastefully done.

Purchase this after I couldn't find it anywhere else to stream for my classroom

I almost didn't watch this because of the title - it has nothing to do with the movie. I'm glad I watched.This documentary is about the New York of a century ago and the dawn of modern medical / criminal forensics in New York. So if you like history, or crime, or science, THIS is for you. It ties together many events of the early 1900's you've heard of - along with some you haven't. The Poisoner's Handbook is a rare thing. It doesn't try to brainwash you into supporting some political or philosophical cause. All it does is educate you about events that actually happened - and it does it in a very engaging way. Five stars.

Yes that happened and if you watch this most interesting video you will see how it occurred in what it involved. Some of the most interesting factual information revolved around prohibition and ETOH when people were so desperate they turned wood into alcohol ultimately resulting in their death. The radium that was used in makeup killed many. Shocking to me, ether which was used in anesthesia not that long ago was mentioned. Thankfully Charles Norris and, Alexander Gettler who analyzed more than 100,000 bodies in his lifetime, helped to establish Forensic Science which was the missing link in determining the real cause of death and you know how important it has become today.

A captivating look at chemical compounds and their benefits and detriments to society; quite the fascinating overview of forensic science’s birth and development as it’s changed the modern world as we know it!

Enjoyable and educational story of the life work of New York's first medical examiner Charles Norris, and his head toxicologist Alexander Gettler. Before Norris, New York coroners (as in many places) weren't doctors, and often had absolutely no scientific training. It was more a give-away, political patronage job, and forensic evidence wasn't taken very seriously by juries, judges, or lawyers.But Norris and Gettler dragged New York, and ultimately the rest of the U.S., into the age of science in the courtroom. For this show it specifically focuses on the issue of poisonings and how Gettler and Norris got ever better at exposing the truth behind these killings – to the point where intentional poisonings in New York went from hundreds of cases a year to only one or two. That's how good they were. It was no longer worth the risk.Unlike most American Experience films, this relies heavily on reenactments. That usually means cheesy and unimpressive. But here the acting is first rate, and it makes the device work surprisingly well. One could imagine a fascinating series about these two – a sort of real life Holmes and Watson.

The Poisoner's Handbook did an excellent job in thier examination. Through a mixtrue of reenactments and stock footage the brilliantly displayed the birth of forensic science through the experiences of Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler. Director Rob Rapley did an incredible job of visualizing Debroah Blum's book of the same name. This, like much of the American Experience library, was an incredibly strong and steady work.

Super fascinating documentary!! Watched multiple times over the years

My students really enjoyed watching this movie in chemistry class

Amazing documentary. I have watched it several times on Netflix and read the book. Bought this for my home collection.

A chronological history of the people who developed modern forensic science, the cases, the chemicals, the losses and the victories. Very good, with solid re-creations. No wasted time in this documentary.

Very well researched and interesting.