The worst nightmare a parent can encounter is the death of a child, but what if that child was murdered, by a sibling? How can anyone make sense of such a tragedy? Siblicide is a category of murder that is underreported, often because it is unfathomable that siblings can attack each other so violently and […]
Adolescence, the trending Netflix series has opened a Pandora’s Box. Guest author, Mr Chris Jooste, MSc graduate in Genetics and forensic consultant unpacks the pseudoscience behind manosphere: Chris Jooste: In an era where science and data should guide our understanding of human behaviour, a disturbing trend persists in online echo chambers, the rise of the […]
The United Nations has designated 4 May as International Anti-Bullying Day when the world pledges to end bullying in schools. This year it can be commemorated on Monday 5 May in schools. UNESCO Member States declared the first Thursday of November as the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, Including Cyberbullying. Until it […]
Besides both being regarded as infamous poisoners Catherine Montvoisin, colloquially known as La Voisin, a key figure in the 17th century-Affair des Poisons in France, and Maria Lee, a notorious murderer in post-Second World War South Africa, had several traits in common. Although neither were attractive, they both had a certain sensual allure, that ‘bewitched’ […]
Several cougar poisoners killed those who opposed their relationships with younger men. American Martha Wise almost wiped out her entire family, and two South African women were executed for poisoning their husbands to pursue their young lovers. The Things We Do For Love, is a song released in 1976 by the British band 10cc. The […]
The standard answer “I bought the poison for rats” alerts experienced detectives to “smell a rat” and investigate female poisoners. Rats are commensal, benefitting from human proximity. They evolved millions of years ago in Asia and moved in with humans, for humans provided a readily available source of food, whether their crops, their granaries or […]
In Greek mythology, Medea, princess of Colchis, was regarded as a sorceress, an accomplished “pharmakeía” and is often depicted as a high-priestess of the goddess, Hecate. When Medea was abandoned by her husband Jason in favour of Glauke, princess of Corinth, she took revenge on her rival by sending her a dress and a crown […]
Where the motive of the 17th-century Spana Prosecution poisoners was to rid themselves of their abusive husbands, there exists another class of poisoners – those who use poison for political advancement. Long before the Renaissance trio of Thofiania d’Adamo, Giullia Tofana and Gironima Spana concocted the arsenic-based Aqua Tofana, Rome’s most famous poisoner was Locusta, […]