Review: Modern Criminal Investigation

DOI10.1177/0032258X3901200113
Published date01 January 1939
Date01 January 1939
Subject MatterReview
REVIEWS
127
Chapter VI the author has managed to compress into eleven pages a summary
of the offences which road users can commit.
The
two following chapters
convey to the general reader astatement of police practice in regard to the
enforcement of traffic laws, together with a comparison with procedure on
the Continent and in America, which from time to time is advocated for
adoption in this country.
The
index and a comprehensive table of contents
adequately complete the purpose of the book as a work of reference.
MODERN
CRIMINAL
INVESTIGATION.
By DR.
HARRY
SODERMAN
AND
JOHN
J.
O'CONNELL.
(G. Bell &Sons, Ltd.)
12S.
6d. net.
THE authors have obviously taken a great deal of trouble in producing this
book and a
number
of useful hints are to be picked up from it.
It
can be
argued
that
it is exceedingly doubtful whether a book of this character ought
to be on sale to the general public as it can be said with great force that many
of the matters disclosed and discussed are likely to be of great value to
criminally minded persons.
The
chapters on the investigations of burglary,
larceny, robbery and arson are glaring examples.
The
general questions raised have been discussed over and over again,
and it cannot be pretended that
the
book adds anything to the theories
examined at length by others, and particularly by Hans Gross, the father of
criminal investigation.
A good deal of
the
detailed information seems to be overdone, for in-
stance, it is of doubtful value to give ten pages of illustrations of types of
motor tyres, most of which, if not already obsolete, will be obsolete within
quite ashort time. A detective who wishes to compare the treads of various
tyres must consult other sources of information which are up to date at the
time of his investigation.
The
idea of putting questions at the end of each
chapter is useful and helpful.
In
the chapter on the police laboratory the authors commit themselves
to the statement
that
experience shows
that
adetective with the necessary
experience is the ideal person to head a police laboratory.
in
their view:
"
The
detective heading the police laboratory should work hand-in-
hand with a scientific advisor, a medical man or a chemist having the
basic scientific education necessary to conduct with ability and authority
the work of the laboratory and to testify before the courts.
This
man
must be carefully chosen.
Much
depends on him.
"
The
personnel of the laboratory should be composed of detectives.
Young men with some years of practical detective work and animated
by an intense and lasting interest should be chosen.
This
is imperative
because of
the
necessity of carrying out the work at the scene of the
crime."
There
is force behind this contention,
but
the authors seem to assume that
the police laboratory will be prepared to tackle any scientific problems and
say nothing on the interesting question of whether, in large towns, where
specialised expert assistance is readily available, it would be preferable to
employ the individual with the greatest reputation and experience in dealing
with particular problems rather than confine the police to the experience of
their own organisation.

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