TRACKING OF MOTORS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 109, 11 May 1931, Page 11

TRACKING OF MOTORS

TYRE PRINTS AS CLUES. NEW SYSTEM IN BRITAIN. ■ The tracking of cars by the imprints I of their tyres is a novel system.under consideration by police authorities in Britain, who are planning new weapons to aid them in their war against criminals who use ears. It is stated that the system hinges on tho fact that no two tyre patterns are exactly alike in design and that wear causes marks and scars which enable an expert to identify the tracks they leave. A police expert who has successfully introduced tho system in America states that immediately after a car crime police guard all the roads near by and examine the surfaces for tho marks of the ear’s wheels. The chief investigating officer identifies the mark and thus obtains strong evidence which helps materially in proving tho identity of suspected cars. Hundreds of suspect cars may have to 1)0 examined, but tho chances of discovering the right one are believed to be strong. It is hoped 'to perfect the system so that it will be possible to take prints of a car’s mark left on tho pavement or on concrete. Although these marks are invisible to the eye. they can be “developed” by brushing with aluminium- powder. In some eases where a series of thefts j have been committed, it has been pos- J sible to obtain prints of each, tyre, i and, with the knowledge of theirposi- . tion, it has not been difficult to catch , and convict the criminal. By careful measurement of the tyre marks it is possible to deduce important facts, such as whether the car was loaded or unloaded, the number of occupants and whore they were sitting. | as well as tho speed of the car.