If you decide to watch this episode of "American Experience", I STRONGLY recommend you think twice. While it is VERY interesting, it's also quite disgusting at times. Again and again, old photos of dead people (some REALLY awful looking) are shown on the program. A few of them are just god-awful looking...so I am warning you...think twice!!!
The show itself is a fascinating show about the history of forensic science and the history of the coroner's office in New York City. Up until the 1910s, there was no way to determine how folks had been poisoned and whether or not it occurred by accident or if it was murder...and the rise of a new science helped to correct this. The show is actually based on a book, "Poisoner's Handbook" by Deborah Blum and you see her throughout the show along with many other experts. The main hero, so to speak, in this story is Charles Norris--a man who worked tirelessly to create a new sort of science. It also centers on one of his workers, the tireless Alexander Gettler. I could easily say more and talk about the many different topics covered (as well as the fascinating story of Mary Creighton), but it's really something you should see for yourself. Overall, a very interesting and HORRIFYING episode well worth seeing IF you have the stomach for it.