Consultants:
Dr. Zachary Via Ph.D
Dr. John Alexander Pearce M.D.
Former Det. Darcey McDermeit
Rachel L Wright (Forensics)
Sarah Urfer, M.S., D-ABFT-FT
ORIGIN
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When a person suffers from copper poisoning, the iris of the eyes will
eventually turn a copper color. This is called Wilson's Disease.
(Wilson’s Disease, 2015)
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This image was pulled from www.glogster.com
This image was taken with special equipment to better see the Kayser-Fleischer Rings that signify Copper Poisoning/Wilson's Disease. This can be prevented from spreading and can very slowly be reversed with proper treatment.
There are more side effects of metal poisoning that can be listed. But the most common are mental disorders, nerve damage, extreme sickness, burns on the skin, and even skin discoloration depending on the metal and toxicity level. (Metallosis After, 2015)
In the image of Dr. Sonal (in the book), you can see that next to his mouth is a misting of blood. This is called Expirated Spatter. Blood spatter analysis is a technique used most commonly by investigators in homicide investigations. (Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, 2015)
For more information on Blood Spatter Analysis click on the following link for A Simplified Guide to Blood Spatter Analysis
http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/SimplifiedGuideBloodstainPatterns.pdf
BIOLOGY
EXPANDED
KNOWLEDGE
“Impulses of the brain” refers to an electrical signal that travels through the nerves. When nerves are activated, it triggers a wave of electrical activity. These electrical signals translate to sight, smell, pain, sound, etc. (How the Brain)
EEG stands for electroencephalogram. It’s a test used to measure electrical activity of the brain. This test is often used for diagnosing health conditions such as epilepsy, brain diseases, fainting spells, memory loss, and head injuries. They can also be used to evaluate sleep disorders. (EEG)
There was an actual study done on an outside source stimulating another person’s brain. It was done by two researchers at University of Washington. After the researchers had the stimuli applied, the controls of a game were put in front of one man, while the other researcher (across campus) gave commands mentally for the other to press the keys. The experiment was the first successful human brain-to-brain interface. (Researcher Controls Colleague’s Motions, 2013)
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Lichtenberg figure burns are caused by a high voltage electrical discharge. The electrical discharge (example: lightning) will burn and scar whatever it strikes. Most victims of this deal with lifelong medical issues such as neurological problems, chronic pain, and personality change, among many other issues. (What Happens When)
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Only about 10% of people struck by lightning die from it. People struck indirectly, like holding onto something that was struck, often have injuries that involve blunt trauma, neurological syndromes, muscle injuries, eye injuries, skin lesions and burns. (What Happens When)
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There are many metals that are toxic to humans. Arsenic, copper, beryllium, nickel, chromium, aluminum, cadmium, iron, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, silver, zinc, thallium, antimony, bismuth, and tin are just some of those metals. (Friis, 2007)
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Thallium is extremely toxic. Previously used in rat poisons and insecticides, this was the weapon of choice in many murder cases before the forensic technology of today. It’s odorless, tasteless, and dissolves in water; making it the ideal weapon in that time. After a few days of untreated exposure, it’s likely a person will suffer nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Then pain, loss of reflexes, convulsions, muscle wasting, headaches, numbness, dementia, psychosis, and coma; all symptoms of nervous system damage. Furthermore, weeks later, a person can expect hair loss and heart rhythm disturbances. (Facts about Thallium Poisoning, 2007)
When the body lacks vital nutrients, many things can happen. For instance, if your body lacks the proper level of Iron you can have many symptoms. Those being dizziness, feeling weakness in the body, trouble concentrating, and shortness of breath. (Iron Deficiency Anemia, 2016)
NEVERMORE
The hyoid bone is a U shaped mobile bone in the neck. In one-third of all strangulation cases, the hyoid bone is fractured. However, it can also be associated with other physical traumas on rare occurrences. (Pollanen & Chiasson, 1996)
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Aconite poisoning has many effects on the body. It is a highly toxic cardiotoxin, and neurotoxin and the raw root form is extremely toxic. (Chan, 2009)
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Symptoms of poisoning include numbness of the face, abnormal skin sensation, rash on the limbs, muscle weakness of the limbs, arrhythmias, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, hyperventilation, sweating, confusion, headache, and difficulty breathing.
(Chan, 2009)
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Poisoning leads to intense pain, paralysis of the muscles, followed by arrhythmia. Death occurs as a result of respiratory paralysis or cardiac arrest. (Chan, 2009)
