172
1932.
1931.
Toxicological Examinations including
43 human stomachs
115
85
158
CHEMICO-LEGAL AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.
The work under this head done during the year included the following:-
159
TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS.
The list below gives the number and nature of work done
under this head :- -
Nature of poison, No poison found Opium found
No. of Cases.
54 Cases.
21
} 1
Adalin found
3
Articles for fire enquiries
5
10
Alcoohol found
Articles connected with corrosive fluid
throwing
Potassium cyanide found
1
0
12
Hydrochloric acid found
1
Articles for stains
Morphine found
1
4
9
J 1
Lysol found
2
↑↑
Counterfiet coin cases
7
5
Veronal found
2
Counterfeit coin materials
24
Barbituric acid found
2
77
Formaldehyde found
1
}
Bank Notes
1
2
Mercury found
1
Documents
3
Total
Bombs and explosives
4
9
Stolen Goods
(
4
Dust
0
1
>
Well Water
4
0
Other examinations
A considerable amount of work was done in connection with the Victoria Gap murder case, .also in connection with the two bomb explosions. one in Yaumati and the other near St. John's Cathedral. In both bomb cases it was possible to ascertain the nature of the explosive used.
Several children showed symptoms of poisoning after partaking of locally made sweetmeats, it was ascertained that excess of synthetic essences had been used and that the wrapping paper contained aniline dyestuffs which had con- taminated the sweets.
During the summer a report was made that attempts were being made to poison wells in the Lok Ma Chau area, samples were taken and in no case was any poisonous matter found in the water. In this connection a specimen of suspicious nature. found in one of the wells, was sent for examination
it was identified as a piece of carbolic soap. probably dropped in accidentally. Later in the year a specimen was sent from Hoihow. in connection with a similar scare, and in this case was found to be a mixture of starch and china clay.
91 Cases.
No outstanding cases occurred, the majority of the cases being suicide, opium again being the favourite means. In the case in which mercury was found, death was proved to be through natural causes. The deceased had taken calomel some time before death and mercury, equivalent to 1/3rd grain, was found in the walls of the stomach.
DANGEROUS GOODS.
154 samples coming under the heading of dangerous goods were submitted for examination during the year, the majority were samples of oil fuel, petrol and kerosene for use in H. M. Ships.
Samples of firecrackers were submitted by the police for presence of illegal constituents, and the usual bi-annual inspections were made of firecracker factories in Kowloon and New Territories and samples brought back for examination.
The holds and tanks of 72 steamers were examined for the presence of inflammable vapour by means of Clowes-Redwood apparatus.
FOOD AND DRUGS.
Two hundred and sixty-eight samples of food or drugs were examined during 1932. These comprised samples taken by Inspectors of the Sanitary Department under the Food and Drugs Ordinance, also commercial samples and samples from private persons.
173
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