# Poison consultant need .... for a mystery story. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 8, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670 "2014-04-08T20:50:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/1 "2014-04-08T20:50:06Z")
Truly, I’m not planning to off my husband or anthing. 🙂 I’ve come up with what I think is a neat murder plot/method, but I need help for exactly which poison to use. And I really don’t want to burn the idea by posting details openly. So, anyone knowledgable about the subject willing to answer a question or two by email? I’m thinking a doctor or pharmacist, or maybe a biochemist? Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/2 "2014-04-08T21:40:34Z")
Just call Poison Control and tell them you swallowed whatever it is, and see how they react. Keep calling with different poisons and amounts swallowed until they freak out. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/3 "2014-04-08T22:05:04Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Just call Poison Control and tell them you swallowed whatever it is, and see how they react. Keep calling with different poisons and amounts swallowed until they freak out. For the record if you pan fry something with Easy Off instead of Pam, they won’t freak out. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/4 "2014-04-08T22:08:46Z")
How about luminous toxin? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/5 "2014-04-08T22:16:18Z")
I saw a story once where pure nicotine was used to kill someone, because the victim smoked, and so the presence of nicotine wouldn’t be suspicious to the coroner. ---
**Author:** ![ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/6 "2014-04-08T22:38:35Z")
Time factor (exposure time to reach fatal dose): quick or slow Time factor (fatality): quick or slow Chemical or biological or nuclear Toxicity & dosage Delivery method Ability to procure Antidote? Just a few factors I can think of off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/7 "2014-04-08T23:00:33Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > I’m thinking a doctor or pharmacist, or maybe a biochemist? I am none of the above, but I do have a certain…knack for these things. ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/8 "2014-04-09T14:37:46Z")
Get a copy of _[Deadly Doses: a Writer’s Guide to Poisons](http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Doses-Writers-Poisons-Howdunit/dp/0898793718)_. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poison-consultant-need-for-a-mystery-story/685670/9 "2014-04-09T15:43:46Z")
Ah, _of course_ there would be a specialized book for us! Thanks for the pointer!