TRACKING CRIMINALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23033, 10 May 1938, Page 11

TRACKING CRIMINALS

CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE NEW SCIENTIFIC AIDS OTTAWA, April 26 Intensive application of every scientific aid in the ceaseless war 011 crime is being planned by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police under Colonel S. T. Wood, who recently succeeded the late Sir James Macßrien as Commissioner. Colonel Wood, formerly head of the criminal investigation branch, points with pride to such scientific instruments as the ultra-violet ray lamp, the comparison microscope and the spectrograph, used by the force in criminal investigation. The ultra-violet ray lamp is becoming increasingly important for detection of crime. With it stains on clothing or walls can be exaifiined which are invisible to the naked eye. The comparison microscope enables checking of bullets, cartridge cases, seals, stamps and fabrics to be made with the original, while the spectrograph is an instrument used for detection of counterfeit coins. Colonel Wood visualises the ultimate establishment of a national police school at Ottawa and Regina somewhat like the Metropolitan Police College in London. Authorities on various aspects of criminal science and police work would be sent to Ottawa and Regina to lecture at the schools. The new commissioner forecasts the aeroplane will -have an increasingly important place in the development of the force which now polices the three Prairie Provinces, the Maritimes, the North-west and Yukon Territories.