POLICE METHODS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18203, 2 March 1929, Page 17

POLICE METHODS.

INQUIRY AT AUCKLAND. THE ELSIE WALKER CASE. Ty_ Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 1. The inquiry in tho Elsie Walker case was continued to-day. Dr. Gilmour said that immediately be saw the girl’s undergarments, and blood stains on them, he realised that a blood sample sboula have been kept. There was no evidence as to the cause of death, other than the blow on the head. He was satisfied from the condition of the organs that the theory of exhaustion was untenable. Even if the girl was out all night in the thinnest of garments, it was extremely unlikely that a. girl brought up in the country should die of sudden fear, and this would leave entirely unexplained the marked congestion of the brain, and the bruise on the scalp “We determined,” no added, “that the only evidence we had pointed to concussion as the cause of death. We could find no evidence of any other condition. This evidence of concussion, however, was not sufficient for us to say absolutely that death was due to concussion.” Dr. Gilmour was questioned at length by the Commissioner, regarding the reports made to the police, and particularly the second report, in which the doctor’s opinion hardened in the direction of concussion of tho brain as the probable cause of death. Tho Commissioner: “Does it not occur to you that in putting your own report right, you let the police down?” Witness: “No. Dr. Murray had been frequently in touch with the police a' the time. Assuming that the police did not know what we were doing, or thinking, between the first report and th© second, it would.” “The Coroner found that death was duo to concussion?”—“Yes.” “Do you think he could have been justified in coming to that conclusion, if you had stuck to your original report?”—“No; in fact. I do not think he was justified in finding that verdict on the second report.” “Do you suggest that the Coroner could possibly have arrived at that finding if you had stuck to your original report—that there was no evidence as to the cause of death?” —“No. I do not think ho could.” Constable Collins gave evidence regarding the finding of the body at Tamaki, and its removal to the morgue. He said that when he saw the body he thought that death was due to natural causes, or suicide. People had begun to collect when the discovery was known. Mr Leary: “Do you think you could possibly have done more than you did to elucidate this mystery?” Yitness: “I am suro I could not. T inquired everywhere I thought 1 could get information.” findil, 2 of the bodv, Mi” Curr?e ° mS W&S Questioned by “Was blood under the head?” “I thought deceased had bled at the Mr Currie: “What was there to dispel the natural suspicion that you, as a policeman, would have?” Witness : “Tho position the body was in. The girl had no hat. and was wearing an apron. There appeared to be no signs of any wound, and the general appearances led him to believe that death was due cither to suicide or - 1 o natural causes. The position of the bushes also helped him to form that? opinion Mr Leary: “Wlint was (be position of the bushes?” Witness replied that the girl looked as if she had crawled in under the bushes. If it were a case of concealment, it certainly was a “bundled job ” The Commissioner: “Approximately how many people did vou interview in the course of your inquiries? I do not want you to bo accurate to a dozen or c n” Witness: “I should say T interviewed At this stage the Commissioner adjourned till to-morrow.