Many infamous serial killers were men. But, in the 1800s, the Smithsonian says the deadliest ones often wore corsets. So many women were arrested for serial poisoning the era is known as the “Golden Age of Arsenic.”

The Smithsonian reports that during the 1800s, many women serial killers used corsets to hide arsenic poisoning, leading to numerous arrests and a period known as the ‘Golden Age of Arsenic.’

According to the Smithsonian, a significant number of women in the 1800s were involved in serial poisoning, often using arsenic concealed within their clothing, particularly corsets. This era saw a rise in poison-related murders, with women frequently accused of using arsenic to eliminate rivals or spouses.

Historically, many of these women were arrested and convicted based on forensic evidence of arsenic poisoning, which was detectable through chemical tests emerging at the time. The use of corsets, which were tightly fitted garments, provided an effective means to hide poison vials or arsenic powder against detection.

The period is now referred to as the ‘Golden Age of Arsenic,’ reflecting the prevalence of poisonings and the social context that made poisoning a common method among female offenders. Researchers believe that societal constraints and limited legal avenues for women contributed to their resorting to poisoning as a clandestine method.

Why It Matters

This discovery sheds light on a unique aspect of criminal history, illustrating how gender roles and fashion influenced methods of murder. Understanding this history can inform forensic science and criminology, highlighting how concealment techniques evolve with societal changes. It also challenges the stereotype that most infamous serial killers were men, revealing that women played a significant role in poisonings during this era.

Background

The 1800s saw a rise in poison-related crimes, often linked to domestic disputes, financial motives, or revenge. Forensic science was in its infancy, making detection difficult initially, but arsenic testing became a key tool in criminal investigations. The era’s social norms often stigmatized women, which may have contributed to their resorting to covert poisoning rather than overt violence.

Historical records show several notable cases where women were accused of serial poisoning, frequently with arsenic, which was readily available and easy to conceal. The use of corsets was common fashion, and their structure provided an effective hiding place for poison, making detection more challenging.

“Many women in the 1800s used corsets to hide arsenic, leading to a surge in poisoning cases that earned the era the ‘Golden Age of Arsenic.'”

— Smithsonian researcher

“The use of corsets as a hiding place for poison illustrates how societal norms and fashion influenced criminal tactics in the 19th century.”

— Criminologist specializing in historical crimes

What Remains Unclear

It is still unclear how many women exactly were involved in serial poisonings during this period, as records from the era are incomplete. The full extent of the use of corsets for concealment remains under investigation, and ongoing research aims to quantify the phenomenon.

What’s Next

Researchers plan to analyze more historical court records and forensic reports to better understand the scope of female poisoners in the 1800s. Future studies may reveal additional cases and methods used, contributing to a more complete picture of this criminal phenomenon.

Key Questions

Why were women more often involved in poisonings during the 1800s?

Societal constraints and limited legal avenues for women may have led them to choose covert methods like poisoning, which could be concealed more easily than physical violence.

How did authorities detect arsenic poisoning in the 1800s?

Forensic tests, such as the Marsh test, were developed in the 19th century and allowed authorities to detect arsenic in victims’ bodies, leading to arrests and convictions.

Are there known cases where corsets directly contributed to a murder?

While specific cases are still being studied, the use of corsets to hide poison is documented, and some historical cases suggest that fashion played a role in concealment strategies.

Why is this period called the ‘Golden Age of Arsenic’?

The era earned this nickname due to the high prevalence of arsenic poisoning cases, many linked to female perpetrators using fashion to conceal poisons.

What does this discovery tell us about gender and crime in history?

It highlights how societal roles and norms influenced criminal methods, with women often resorting to poisoning as a covert way to commit murder during the 19th century.

Source: reddit