Open Honors Reading Assignment: The Poisoner’s Handbook
The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum is a non-fiction popular science book that
describes the changes that occur in forensics in the early 20th century as a result of the appointment
of coroner Charles Norris and his forensic chemist Alexander Gettler. Their expertise and dedication
to their work led to the creation of many of the toxicology tests used today.
I have chosen this book for you because it provides a fascinating history of how chemistry can
change society, and because I think you’ll enjoy learning more about bonding, properties, and
molecules by looking at specific chemicals that you may already be a little familiar with.
Answer the following questions in a separate document and fill out the chart for each group of
chemicals that you have selected as you read. You can copy and paste this table into your own
document, and fill it out electronically or print it out and fill it out that way. You may purchase your
own copy of the book, or check one out from the library.
1. Why was poison such a popular way to murder someone prior to this period of time?
2. What changes occurred in the early 20th century that put the age of poison to a stop?
3. What are some character traits and habits that make Charles Norris successful at improving
the criminal justice system in New York?
4. Create a table (like the one below) that includes the following information for 5 of the poisons
described in the book.
properties
chemical formula (s)
physical description of
substance
other physical
properties
chemical properties
symptoms of
poisoning
Methods for detection
(describe the process)
name of poison 1
name of poison 2
name of poison 3
5. Norris and Gettler were very concerned about the use of scientific results in prosecuting a
crime. They wanted the police department to use the information from forensics to determine
the causes and perpetrators of a death. Describe and explain two cases from the book where
their chemical analyses were used as evidence to exonerate a person of a crime.
6. Ethyl alcohol (grain alcohol) is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Methyl alcohol
(or wood alcohol) is much more dangerous that ethyl alcohol.
a. Research the molecular structures of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and methyl alcohol. Draw a
ball and stick diagram of each and explain the differences in their structures.
b. Explain why methyl alcohol is so deadly, while ethyl alcohol is not.
7. Radium is a radioactive element. After learning about nuclear reactions answer the following
questions:
a. What group is radium a part of and what are the properties of these elements?
b. How does this help explain why radium attacks the bones.
c. Write out the nuclear equations showing the degradation of uranium into radium, and
radium into polonium by alpha decay.
This assignment is a semester assignment due on January 10th