M 118
CHEMICO-LEGAL AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.
The chemico-legal and criminal investigations made during the year included the following:--
1931 1930 Toxicological examinations including 45 human stomachs 85 72 Articles from fire enquiries 10 7 Articles connected with corrosive fluid throwing 12 6 Articles for stains. 9 8 Counterfeit coin cases 5 3 Counterfeiting materials 24 4 Banknotes 2 1 Documents 3 9 Bombs and explosives 9 11 Stolen goods 4 0 Dust 1 0 Other examinations 0 73Perhaps the outstanding criminal investigation made was that dealing with the Peking Hotel bomb outrage. Specimens of metallic fragments from the floor of the hotel and of the floor dust were sufficient to enable a scale drawing of the bomb in cross-section to be made, and the nature of the explosive to be determined.
In June, an examination of Chinese joss sticks was made, in connection with the Staunton Street fire. The object was to determine whether the joss-sticks possessed any special degree of inflammability, such as would make the storage of them in a dwelling house a hazardous proceeding.
A number of cases of corrosive fluid throwing occurred during the year in connection with which specimens of suspected liquids were submitted for analysis and a number of garments were examined for traces of corrosive liquids. The liquids used included sulphuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and caustic soda solution.
Four samples of asphalt were examined in March in connection with the theft of asphalt from a P.W.D. boiler in Nathan Road. Analysis proved that the material found in possession of the defendant was identical in nature and composition with that from which the stolen material had been taken.
In September, three suspected One Dollar Straits notes were submitted for examination in connection with a police case at Yaumati. One note was found to be a forgery while two were genuine.