Edme Castaing

Edme Samuel Castaing. Lithograph. Wellcome V0001028

Edme Samuel Castaing (1796 – 6 December 1823) was a French physician and one of the most infamous figures in the history of forensic medicine. His case is notable for being one of the earliest recorded instances of murder by poisoning, specifically with morphine, which was a relatively new discovery at the time.

Early Life and Education

Edme Samuel Castaing was born in 1796 in Alençon, France. Details about his early life are scarce, but it is known that he pursued a career in medicine, a field that was undergoing significant changes due to advances in science and technology during the period. Castaing graduated with a degree in medicine, and soon after, he began practicing as a physician.

The Murders

Castaing's descent into criminality is closely linked to his association with two wealthy brothers, Auguste and Hippolyte Ballet. In 1822, after the death of their father, the Ballet brothers came into a substantial inheritance. Castaing, who had become a close friend of the brothers, was deeply in debt and saw an opportunity to solve his financial problems.

The first to die was Auguste Ballet, under mysterious circumstances, after a trip to the countryside with Castaing. His death was initially not suspected to be foul play. However, suspicions arose when Hippolyte also fell ill and died shortly after, in May 1823, under the care of Castaing. It was later revealed that Castaing had purchased morphine, a relatively new drug at the time, just days before the deaths of the Ballet brothers.

Trial and Execution

Castaing's trial was a sensation in France and is considered a landmark case in the annals of forensic medicine. The prosecution argued that Castaing had poisoned the Ballet brothers with morphine to gain access to their inheritance. The defense, however, contended that there was no direct evidence linking Castaing to the murders, highlighting the lack of understanding and the difficulty in detecting morphine in the body at the time.

Despite the defense's efforts, Castaing was found guilty of the murder of Hippolyte Ballet; the jury remained undecided on the charge related to Auguste's death. Edme Samuel Castaing was sentenced to death and was executed by guillotine on 6 December 1823.

Legacy

The Castaing case had a profound impact on the field of forensic medicine, highlighting the challenges of detecting poison in the human body and the need for advances in toxicology. It also led to increased public and professional awareness about the potential for abuse of emerging pharmaceuticals.

Castaing's story has been the subject of numerous articles, books, and discussions, often cited as a cautionary tale about the ethical responsibilities of physicians and the dangers of unchecked ambition.

See Also

• Forensic medicine
• History of poisoning
• Toxicology