Criminal Poisoning: Investigational Guide for Law Enforcement, Toxicologists, Forensic Scientists, and Attorneys / Edition 2

by John H. Trestrail, III

Overview

In this revised and expanded edition, leading forensic scientist John Trestrail offers a pioneering survey of all that is known about the use of poison as a weapon in murder. Topics range from the use of poisons in history and literature to convicting the poisoner in court, and include a review of the different types of poisons, techniques for crime scene investigation, and the critical essentials of the forensic autopsy. The author updates what is currently known about poisoners in general and their victims. The Appendix has been updated to include the more commonly used poisons, as well as the use of antifreeze as a poison.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781627038379
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/03/2014
Series:	Forensic Science and Medicine
Edition description:	2nd ed. 2007
Pages:	181
Sales rank:	698,814
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Poisoners Throughout History.- Types of Poisons.- Poisoners.- Victims.- Crime Scene Investigation.- The Forensic Autopsy.- Proving Poisoning.- Poisoners in Court.- Poisoning in Fiction.- Conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Rachelle A Travers, B.A. Molecular Biology(Oregon State University)
Description: This book discusses the history of poisoners and details potential profile information for investigators. The author provides an update to the 2000 edition, including new information based on recent findings.
Purpose: It compiles historical and recent poisoning cases with the intent of informing investigators and law enforcement officers about potential clues for recognizing and solving poisoning cases. The author identifies both physical and toxicological clues that can be used to further investigative methods.
Audience: The intended audience is stated in the title, but it appears that the book is directed more at the lay readers than the scientific readers.
Features: This book contains a historical snapshot of poisoners and their psychological profiles through time. The author addresses victim and poisoner types and scenarios. He explores relatively few toxins and concentrates on the single endpoint of mortality, rather than chronic poisonings and their effects. The index is complete and the chapters engage readers with clear language and pictures.
Assessment: This would work well as a supplemental text for criminal law students just beginning their studies. Although very interesting in nature, this title does not go far enough into profiling or identifying or the legalities of prosecution.

Doody's Review Service

From the reviews of the second edition:

"Criminal Poisoning represents a pioneering work dealing exclusively with toxicants in the hands of those with criminal intent. This is the first book having in-depth discussions of all aspects of murder by poisoning. . .The book is easy reading, succinct and the use of jargon is minimized. . . Dr. Trestrail emphasizes several keys points in his book. Poisons are a stealth weapon, meaning the victim and the crime scene often lacks overt evidence of violence. Maintaining the chain of custody for evidence is another point expounded. The author also argues that many poisoners do not get caught and urges that any sudden death case to be considered a poisoning until proven otherwise. . .Criminal Poisoning is an excellent resource for forensic toxicologists, coroners, medical examiners/forensic pathologists, special agents and consumer safety officers of the Food and Drug Administration, homicide detectives, private investigators, criminalists, and attorneys. Criminal Poisoning is essential reading for pharmacists engaging in work relating to forensic toxicology or death investigations. . .John Trestrail, III provides another great example of how pharmacists are involved in forensics and law enforcement."-Journal of Pharmacy Practice

"...Trestrail has put together some- 160 pages of easily read and pleasantly understandable data on the use of poisons as murder weapons...introduces beginning toxicologists to the exciting field of forensic toxicology with insights into the workings of the investigational process...this new publication is an interesting comprehensive overview of criminal poisonings for scientists, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and very likely the vast majority of the reading public."-Veterinary and Human Toxicology

"...an interesting, browsable, text on the overall criminology of poisoning." - Journal of Forensic Sciences

"The book deals with the personality of poisoners and their victims, the crime scene investigation, the forensic autopsy and the difficult problem of proving poisoning. It is well indexed and tabulated with good suggestions for further reading although no internet addresses are given which apparently contain a mine of information on how to poison people."—British Toxicology Society Newsletter

"The book is a fascinating read especially if you are, as I am, interested in the history, fiction, and trivia of poisoning. … this is an extremely accessible book for all individuals, lay as well as professionals, and is written in such a way that it could be easily digested by anyone capable of reading a daily newspaper." (Daryl J. Mayers, Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal, December, 2007)

From the Publisher