Powers of Poison: The Science Behind Sherlock

Authors

  • Nicole Lindsay-Mosher Integrated Science, McMaster University
  • Katie Maloney Integrated Science, McMaster University

Keywords:

TV programme, Biology, Neurotoxin, Bacteria, Sherlock

Abstract

In the popular BBC television series Sherlock, the villainous mastermind Moriarty commits a murder by introducing botulinum toxin to a victim’s eczema cream. This paper examines the science behind this scenario and analysis indicates that it is feasible to commit murder in this manner but a longer timeframe than described in Sherlock is required. 

References

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Geiger, J. (1924) The possible danger of absorption of toxin of B. botulinus through fresh wounds and from mucous surfaces. American journal of public health 14, 4, 309–10 (1924) http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1354824&tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=

Ring, J., Przyyilla, B., and Ruzicka T. Handbook of Atopic Eczema (Springer), 2, 2-5

Torley, D., Futamura, M., Williams, H.C., and Thomas, K.S. What’s new in atopic eczema? An analysis of systematic reviews published in 2010-11, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 38, 449-456 (2013) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ced.12143/abstract

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How to Cite

Lindsay-Mosher, N., & Maloney, K. (2017). Powers of Poison: The Science Behind Sherlock. Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics, 3. Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/jist/article/view/752

Issue

Vol. 3 (2014)

Section

Articles

License

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.  All content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC-BY 4.0).