THE STUDY OF CRIME.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4809, 11 February 1925, Page 2

THE STUDY OF CRIME.

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS. WORK OF MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY The scientific detective of fiction is no longer without his parallel in real life. Sir Bernard Spilsbury, Mr John Webster, Dr. Bronte, and a few others, have often demonstrated in the courts how far science has progressed in the investigation of the puzzling phenomena which present themselves in so many criminal cases. But it is perhaps not so generally known that there is in existence a society—the Medico-Legal Society—whose chief object is the study and discussion of just those problems which come before lawyers, doctors, corc-nere, and scientists generally. About once every month this unobstrusive society holds a meeting in London. Many of its members have name;! which are known from Land’£ , ” , < End to Johmo’ Groats. Some famous authors —Mr Bernard Shaw among thiere —arc members; but in the complete list there are many names of men who work behind the closed doors of laboratory'or study, quietly carrying on investigations in.the vast : realm of criminology and quite ,un--known to the public at large. The society is, in fact, the only one of its kind in England which has amongst its members the leaders of the great professions, and the greatest authorities on particular subjects bearing upon the medical and scientific aspect of studying some subject or case (in any time come, before the law courts.j The methods pursued by the body are stmplc enough in themselves. A member.who has had an o fstudying some subject or case (in the course of his actual experience) prepares a paper dealing with it, and ■ reads this to the society. General * discussion follows, in which those ,« present who have had similar■ expert, cnce give their views or raise questions to be elucidated. Finally, the whole transactions .are printed and circulated privately to members. Year after year this goes on, and so a great ? edifice of curious knowledge is buiit up. . - The volume of transactions for the last session makes strange and sometimes macabre reading for the layman. The ethics of suicide, attempts to defraud insurance societies, and the ujse of that extraordinary instrument, the microspectroscope, in /the detection of blood stains, are but a fow 01 the subjects covered. s We often hear that the publication - s of details of sensational crimes is not good for the public. That may or may ■ not be true. But ifl only the general public could also read and understand fully the transactions of th&; Medico-Legal Society I think that, as; a deterrent, the effect would .be as great as any punishment which the State could inflict. It makes one shudder to think it what cold passionless science can do nowadays in the detection of crime. ' under his notice that renovations to. the main kitchen and the surgery were required, and he thought that those matters ishould be provided for on this year's estimates.—Deferred. DISTRICT NURSE. The l atetonga district nurse, Miss L McNamara, reported that she had attended seven cases, including three cases of measles, during January.: Fees received totalled £3 2s. NATIVE NURSE’S REPORT. The native nurse, Nurse J. L Jairett, reported having visited fifteen' Maori pahe during January and treating 31 cases. Lectures on infantile: paralysis and infant feeding had beeir given. ENGINEER’S REPORT. - The engineer, Mr A. M. Sommerville, reported that 28 tons 15cwt of « coal had been used during January. New pipes leading to the main boiler had been installed and reapirs made / to the halfl-inch ste.am pipe. MATERNITY ANNEXE During January three cases were admitted to the annexeaim three babies were born,