AID OF SCIENCE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 32, 2 November 1942, Page 8

AID OF SCIENCE

Samples Tested For Police Department DOMINION LABORATORY The use made by the Police Department of scientific help from the Dominion Laboratory is mentioned iu t.be annual report of the Director of the Laboratory, Air. 11. L. Andrew. He states that Ute number of samples received from the various Government departments during tlie year ended Aiarch 31 last were: Wellington (main laboratory), 11,019; Auckland, 0299; Christeliui’ch,- 5507; Dunedin, 1850; total, 2-1,771. "The Dominion Laboratory is a service laboratory for Government', departments,” states tlie report. "There was a further increase in the number of samples examined and reports made in connexion with war conditions, and It has therefore been necessary to curtail some of the normal activities of tlie laboratory.” Referring to samples received from the Police Department, the report states numerous samples, very varied in nature, were examined. Poisons were found in a number of exhibits submitted in connexion with suicides and accidental deaths. Drugs suspected of being used for procuring abortion were examined, and also samples of alcoholic liquors. The year was notable for the number of glass fragments examined in connexion with fatal motor accidents and cases of breaking, and entering. In a number of instances these examinations provided conclusive evidence. Tests for Alcohol. .Samples of blood and urine were examined for alcohol in order to establish whether or not deceased persons were drunk at time of death. The Hilger quartz s|)ectrograi>h was again fount! extremely useful, and particularly so in one case where paint marks and' pieces of steel were examined in connexion with a fatal motor accident. Information was obtained which would have been impossible by other means. “It is very satisfactory that the Police Department makes full use of the wide range of scientific aid available from tlie laboratory.” adds tlie report. A very large number of milk samples, .15,396 in all, were examined for the Hehltb Department in the main laboratory and the three branches, says the report. Special attention had been given to milk supplied to schools and to military camps. With very few exceptions tlie milk supplied throughout tlie Dominion was of good quality. Numerous samples from existing and projected water-supplies were examined. A number of these were from supplies to military camps. An increased number of sewage samples wore examined, most of them in connexion with the disposal of sewage at military camps. Air in Factories.

A wide variety of articles used as food and drink were examined, many of them being from supplies to military camps. Samples of air from factories, dusts, and paint were examined in connexion with possible danger to the health of workers. A number of drug samples were analysed to ascertain if they complied with the standards of tlie British Pharmacopoeia. A number of oil-shales were analysed for geological survey. A comprehensive series of samples of peat from tlie Chatham Islands was examined for wax, and sufficient wax was. cxtract-

ed from selected peat to allow of the wax being submitted to various firjus in New Zealand and abroad for opinions as to its commercial value The sampling was very thorough, and the completed work will give reliable data as to the possible value of the peat as a source of wax. Special problems in connexion with substitute materials were investigated, anil in view of present conditions the nit inlier of such problems tended to increase. t'oiisideralile work had been done oil design of plant for drying medicinal plants and vegetables. Exjiei’inieiital lots of agar-agar were prepared, and its commercial production was beln» undertaken by a. New Zealand lirm.