Crime
ACCORDING to writers of crime stories, criminal
detection is largely an art. So it may have been once, but today it is even more a matter of science, and chemistry is the chief branch of pure science on which it draws. The way of the poisoner, for example, is beset with many more perils than it was when the XIXth century public were regaled with the deductive triumphs of the fictitious Sherlock Holmes or shocked by the revelations of the Rugeley trial. Minute traces of the rarest poisons can nowadays be recognised infallibly and estimated accurately. Chemical and biochemical tests enable bloodstains to be readily identified, revealing the species of animal or the particular “blood-group” of human being from which
the blood came, and thus narrowing down and simplifying the work of the detectives. The chemist is often able to add precision to evidence which may in itself be vague. For example, the presence of phosphorus in the sulphuric acid vat of a munitions works may lead to surmise as to the fate of a missing worker; but if chemical tests prove that the phosphorus content of the vat is within the normal limits of phosphorus content of the human body, surmise may approach certainty. The research chemist, aided by the resources of the chemical industry, has also devised means of reading the writing on charred letters and documents; of unmasking forgeries in manuscripts and reputed “old masters of detecting adulterants in food and drink; and of analysing the most complex nostrums which are still bought by the more gullible. The role of the chemist is protective as well as constructive, and the public should appreciate the part that chemistry plays in helping the incomparable British police force to prove the innocence of the guiltless and bring the guilty to justice.
MILTON GALLERIES
LTD.
OLD
MASTERS
We are buying Dutch or Flemish Pictures of the 17th century, either
singly or complete
Collections
138 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, W. L
Telephone: MAYFAIR 3579
Telegrams: Milgall Westdo, London
Cables: Milgall, London
The “F. D. Roosevelt” Stamp Collection
Profoundly sensible of the great honour, Harmer’s of Bond Street are privileged to announce that the Executors of the late President of the United States of America have instructed H. R. Harmer’s New York Office to offer at Auction the World-famous Stamp Collection formed and personally annotated by
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
The first portion will be offered on February 4th and 5th, and the balance on April ist and 2nd, but unfortunately, it is impossible for collectors in this country to take part in the Sale. Nevertheless, Special Souvenir Auction Catalogues of this memorable Sale with Lists of Prices Realised will be available, price 15s. for the series.
H. R. HARMER
Established over 50 years
39-42 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, W. 1. Telephone: MAYfair 0218
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
H. R. HARMER, INC., 32 East 57th Street, New York 22, N. Y.
ACCORDING to writers of crime stories, criminal
detection is largely an art. So it may have been once, but today it is even more a matter of science, and chemistry is the chief branch of pure science on which it draws. The way of the poisoner, for example, is beset with many more perils than it was when the XIXth century public were regaled with the deductive triumphs of the fictitious Sherlock Holmes or shocked by the revelations of the Rugeley trial. Minute traces of the rarest poisons can nowadays be recognised infallibly and estimated accurately. Chemical and biochemical tests enable bloodstains to be readily identified, revealing the species of animal or the particular “blood-group” of human being from which
the blood came, and thus narrowing down and simplifying the work of the detectives. The chemist is often able to add precision to evidence which may in itself be vague. For example, the presence of phosphorus in the sulphuric acid vat of a munitions works may lead to surmise as to the fate of a missing worker; but if chemical tests prove that the phosphorus content of the vat is within the normal limits of phosphorus content of the human body, surmise may approach certainty. The research chemist, aided by the resources of the chemical industry, has also devised means of reading the writing on charred letters and documents; of unmasking forgeries in manuscripts and reputed “old masters of detecting adulterants in food and drink; and of analysing the most complex nostrums which are still bought by the more gullible. The role of the chemist is protective as well as constructive, and the public should appreciate the part that chemistry plays in helping the incomparable British police force to prove the innocence of the guiltless and bring the guilty to justice.
MILTON GALLERIES
LTD.
OLD
MASTERS
We are buying Dutch or Flemish Pictures of the 17th century, either
singly or complete
Collections
138 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, W. L
Telephone: MAYFAIR 3579
Telegrams: Milgall Westdo, London
Cables: Milgall, London
The “F. D. Roosevelt” Stamp Collection
Profoundly sensible of the great honour, Harmer’s of Bond Street are privileged to announce that the Executors of the late President of the United States of America have instructed H. R. Harmer’s New York Office to offer at Auction the World-famous Stamp Collection formed and personally annotated by
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT
The first portion will be offered on February 4th and 5th, and the balance on April ist and 2nd, but unfortunately, it is impossible for collectors in this country to take part in the Sale. Nevertheless, Special Souvenir Auction Catalogues of this memorable Sale with Lists of Prices Realised will be available, price 15s. for the series.
H. R. HARMER
Established over 50 years
39-42 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, W. 1. Telephone: MAYfair 0218
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
H. R. HARMER, INC., 32 East 57th Street, New York 22, N. Y.