Powers of Poison: The Science Behind Sherlock

Nicole Lindsay-Mosher, Katie Maloney

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. 


Keywords


TV programme; Biology; Neurotoxin; Bacteria; Sherlock

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References


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