in your differential

[tonbei]

I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.

“What we’re exploring toxicologically,” I then say to my
commander-in-chief, “is the possibility of a volatile organic compound
like chloroform being used. Possibly some inhalant that would quickly
render the person unconscious so he can take his victims wherever he
wants, for whatever purpose.”
(Briggs:) “You’ll make sure our friends in Edmonton screen for that and
anything else that’s in your differential.”
("Bone Bed " by Patricia Cornwell, p422)

context (or situation):
1) At the the Cambridge Forensic Center
2) They are on a conference call to discuss the state of the
investigation of the murders in Massachusetts recognized to have same
characteristics in some respects as a case in Edmonton, Canada, so they
believe that those crimes were done by the same person.
3) Briggs, whom Scarpetta regards as "commander-in-chief", is armed
forces chief medical examiner and general, attending from Dover Air
Force Base.
4) At this point they're talking about how the victims were taken
without leaving signs of resistance.

question: about "in your differential".
"differential" is hard to get what it means here.
What I guess is it mean : any subtle things caught by your antenna
When you get any other subtle things about this case, relay them to
Edmonton to be checked on.

[lar3ryca]

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
“What we’re exploring toxicologically,” I then say to my
commander-in-chief, “is the possibility of a volatile organic compound
like chloroform being used. Possibly some inhalant that would quickly
render the person unconscious so he can take his victims wherever he
wants, for whatever purpose.”
(Briggs:) “You’ll make sure our friends in Edmonton screen for that and
anything else that’s in your differential.”
("Bone Bed " by Patricia Cornwell, p422)
1) At the the Cambridge Forensic Center
2) They are on a conference call to discuss the state of the
investigation of the murders in Massachusetts recognized to have same
characteristics in some respects as a case in Edmonton, Canada, so they
believe that those crimes were done by the same person.
3) Briggs, whom Scarpetta regards as "commander-in-chief", is armed
forces chief medical examiner and general, attending from Dover Air
Force Base.
4) At this point they're talking about how the victims were taken
without leaving signs of resistance.
question: about  "in your differential".
"differential" is hard to get what it means here.
What I guess is it mean : any subtle things caught by your antenna
When you get any other subtle things about this case, relay them to
Edmonton to be checked on.

In medicine, a differential diagnosis if found by having several doctors
proposing possible diagnoses. I think the author meant something similar
in meaning, but applied to a criminal act rather than disease.

Briggs is telling Scarpetta to ask his friend in Edmonton to check for
traces of chloroform or some other chemical that could render someone
unconscious or unable to resist being taken.

[Tony Cooper]

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
“What we’re exploring toxicologically,” I then say to my
commander-in-chief, “is the possibility of a volatile organic compound
like chloroform being used. Possibly some inhalant that would quickly
render the person unconscious so he can take his victims wherever he
wants, for whatever purpose.”
(Briggs:) “You’ll make sure our friends in Edmonton screen for that and
anything else that’s in your differential.”
("Bone Bed " by Patricia Cornwell, p422)
1) At the the Cambridge Forensic Center
2) They are on a conference call to discuss the state of the
investigation of the murders in Massachusetts recognized to have same
characteristics in some respects as a case in Edmonton, Canada, so they
believe that those crimes were done by the same person.
3) Briggs, whom Scarpetta regards as "commander-in-chief", is armed
forces chief medical examiner and general, attending from Dover Air
Force Base.
4) At this point they're talking about how the victims were taken
without leaving signs of resistance.
question: about "in your differential".
"differential" is hard to get what it means here.
What I guess is it mean : any subtle things caught by your antenna
When you get any other subtle things about this case, relay them to
Edmonton to be checked on.

It's a word that is used in medical terminology about possible
differences what particular effect would result from some agent.

Cornwell comes up with some strange sentences, but I think she'd use
words and phrases that are natural to the field she writes about.

It is defined as: A differential diagnosis occurs when your symptoms
match more than one condition and additional tests are necessary
before making an accurate diagnosis. Tests will narrow down potential
conditions on your healthcare provider’s differential diagnosis list.

[Rich Ulrich]

On Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:19:18 -0500, Tony Cooper

Post by Tony Cooper

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
“What we’re exploring toxicologically,” I then say to my
commander-in-chief, “is the possibility of a volatile organic compound
like chloroform being used. Possibly some inhalant that would quickly
render the person unconscious so he can take his victims wherever he
wants, for whatever purpose.”
(Briggs:) “You’ll make sure our friends in Edmonton screen for that and
anything else that’s in your differential.”
("Bone Bed " by Patricia Cornwell, p422)
1) At the the Cambridge Forensic Center
2) They are on a conference call to discuss the state of the
investigation of the murders in Massachusetts recognized to have same
characteristics in some respects as a case in Edmonton, Canada, so they
believe that those crimes were done by the same person.
3) Briggs, whom Scarpetta regards as "commander-in-chief", is armed
forces chief medical examiner and general, attending from Dover Air
Force Base.
4) At this point they're talking about how the victims were taken
without leaving signs of resistance.
question: about "in your differential".
"differential" is hard to get what it means here.
What I guess is it mean : any subtle things caught by your antenna
When you get any other subtle things about this case, relay them to
Edmonton to be checked on.

It's a word that is used in medical terminology about possible
differences what particular effect would result from some agent.
Cornwell comes up with some strange sentences, but I think she'd use
words and phrases that are natural to the field she writes about.
It is defined as: A differential diagnosis occurs when your symptoms
match more than one condition and additional tests are necessary
before making an accurate diagnosis. Tests will narrow down potential
conditions on your healthcare provider’s differential diagnosis list.

And, "differential diagnosis" shows up in reports, etc., so very
often that it is natural for them to shorten it, i.e., speak of
"your differential."

[Aidan Kehoe]

Post by Rich Ulrich
On Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:19:18 -0500, Tony Cooper

Post by Tony Cooper
It is defined as: A differential diagnosis occurs when your symptoms
match more than one condition and additional tests are necessary
before making an accurate diagnosis. Tests will narrow down potential
conditions on your healthcare provider’s differential diagnosis list.

And, "differential diagnosis" shows up in reports, etc., so very
often that it is natural for them to shorten it, i.e., speak of
"your differential."

Full agreement. One doctor seeing one patient can (and often should) come up
with a differential diagnosis, and then proceed to rule out the most
catastrophic of those, and treat the most likely of them.

[Snidely]

On Wednesday or thereabouts, Tony Cooper asked ...

Post by Tony Cooper

Post by tonbei
I have a question about the following sentences from a novel.
“What we’re exploring toxicologically,” I then say to my
commander-in-chief, “is the possibility of a volatile organic compound
like chloroform being used. Possibly some inhalant that would quickly
render the person unconscious so he can take his victims wherever he
wants, for whatever purpose.”
(Briggs:) “You’ll make sure our friends in Edmonton screen for that and
anything else that’s in your differential.”
("Bone Bed " by Patricia Cornwell, p422)
1) At the the Cambridge Forensic Center
2) They are on a conference call to discuss the state of the
investigation of the murders in Massachusetts recognized to have same
characteristics in some respects as a case in Edmonton, Canada, so they
believe that those crimes were done by the same person.
3) Briggs, whom Scarpetta regards as "commander-in-chief", is armed
forces chief medical examiner and general, attending from Dover Air
Force Base.
4) At this point they're talking about how the victims were taken
without leaving signs of resistance.
question: about "in your differential".
"differential" is hard to get what it means here.
What I guess is it mean : any subtle things caught by your antenna
When you get any other subtle things about this case, relay them to
Edmonton to be checked on.

It's a word that is used in medical terminology about possible
differences what particular effect would result from some agent.
Cornwell comes up with some strange sentences, but I think she'd use
words and phrases that are natural to the field she writes about.
It is defined as: A differential diagnosis occurs when your symptoms
match more than one condition and additional tests are necessary
before making an accurate diagnosis. Tests will narrow down potential
conditions on your healthcare provider’s differential diagnosis list.

I would not have been able to answer this question. YRDLSH!

/dps