Alexander Gettler

Alexander Gettler was born Jewish  in Poland in 1883. 

Alexander Gettler, aged seven, he emigrated to the U.S. with his father, Joseph Gettler, on board the Red Star Line steamer, Westernland, which arrived at the Port of New York on May 6, 1891;     

                        Father Of Forensic Toxicology In USA 

Alexander Gettler, often hailed as the "father of forensic toxicology" in the United States, made significant contributions to the field of forensic science.

Innovative Detection Methods: Gettler developed tests to detect various poisons, including cyanide, methanol, and carbon monoxide, often creating new methodologies when existing ones were inadequate

One of his notable developments is the Gettler Test, a method devised to determine whether a person had drowned and, if so, to distinguish between freshwater and saltwater drowning

                                       

Developed in the early 20th century, the Gettler Test involves analyzing the chloride content in the blood from both the right and left ventricles of the heart. The underlying principle is based on the body's physiological response during drowning

• Freshwater Drowning: Inhalation of freshwater leads to dilution of blood chloride levels, particularly affecting the left side of the heart.

• Saltwater Drowning: Inhalation of saltwater increases blood chloride levels, especially on the left side of the heart.

By comparing the chloride concentrations between the two sides of the heart, forensic pathologists could infer the type of water inhaled, aiding in determining the cause of death

                                                                     Snapshot