SUSPICIOUS CASES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 456, 14 February 1933, Page 5

SUSPICIOUS CASES

(Press. Assn.-

CORONER EMPHASISES DANGER OF INTERFERENCE WITH WEAPON

UTMOST CARE NEEDED

-By Telegrapli — C a pyrlgnt) .

Hamilton, Monday. Some arresting comments in connection with the finding of dead bodies when the circumstances are suspicious were made by the Coroner, at the inquest this morning touching the death of John Henry Robinson, railway guard, who was found dead at his home in Huia Street, Frankton, this morning with a rifle clasped in his hands. "I was informed by Sergeant Moriarty this morning that he. was not quite satisfied with the position of the body," said Mr. Wilson. "I viewed the body as it lay, and was considerably surprised to find that the weapon had been moved and the stock in the vicinity of the trigger had been handled. Such should never be done in any suspicious circumstances. The weapon should not be touched. I

remarked on this to the doctor and the sergeant and stressed the matter : beeause it may be of very grave importance in some cases. "It is not the first time I have found interference of this sort. In another case I found that a bottle of poison had been handled by a doctor and police officer and any fingerprints had heen entirely obliterated. "If, the police are not satisfied with the position in which a body is lying the weapon should not be touched until it has been examined by an expert. It may have no significanee in this case — probably not — but the matter is one in which the utmost care should be exercised."