Review: Summons Headings Useful to Police
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X3500800321 |
| Date | 01 July 1935 |
| Published date | 01 July 1935 |
| Subject Matter | Review |
REVIEWS
379
The
failure of the courts to detect
the
outstanding deficiency of ignoring
differences is due apparently to the erroneous belief that it was certain
that the respective signatures of a particular fire-arm would be identical.
(The courts realized that the respective signatures of any person would
not be identical. Fire-arms were distinguished on the theory that they were
inanimate objects lacking the personal element existing in humans.) "
The
second chapter of the book (pp. 103 to 245) deals with the Sacco-
Vanzetti trial in 1920, and contains a discussion of the expert evidence given
in that trial.
It
was chiefly remarkable for the very elementary and in some
ways misleading part played by the "
experts",
in the light of more modern
work on the subject.
It
is surprising to find an expert speaking of
a"
cannon-
lure"
(p. 121).
The
third chapter (pp. 246-328) deals with the progress of the scientific
examination of such productions as traced in court cases, the admission
of expert evidence, and the qualifications necessary for an expert, and includes
some excellent advice on the presentation of evidence in court. Incidentally,
attention is drawn to the misuse of the term
"bllllistics"
in connexion
with such work, by pointing out that the term should be applied properly
to " the science that treats of the motion of projectiles", and not to the marks
left on such projectiles or on the cases that contained them, by the fire-arm
in which they have been used.
The
authors suggest the formation of a
central bureau, under competent scientific control, for the collection of
data, for research and for identification purposes.
The
following sentence
expresses their hope for the future:
"The
science of fire-arms identification,
properly and intelligently applied, not only will substantially contribute
to a more accurate administration of justice,
but
it will also be an important
aspect of fire-arms control," and if the work is carried out on the lines laid
down in this book, the prospect is good.
Abibliography is added,
but
there is a notable absence of the names
of books and articles on the subject published in languages other than
English.
The
book is well illustrated, some of the reproductions being particularly
good, and it can be recommended to those who wish to specialize on this
subject.
SUMMONS
HEADINGS
USEFUL
TO
POLICE.
loth
Edition. By
J.
HOPKER,
ex-Sergeant, Metropolitan Police. (Police Review Pub-
lishing Co. Ltd.) 9d. net.
IN this handy little booklet ex-Sergeant Hopker has collected more than
three hundred of the more common summary offences and set them out
in the form prescribed by Sec. 32 of the Criminal Justice Act,
1925-that
is, a short description of the offence in ordinary language,
witha
reference
to the section and statute.
The
book serves its purpose admirably, and
in its previous editions has proved a great convenience to officers dealing
with process, especially in the Metropolitan Police District.
The
present tenth edition has been brought up to date by the inclusion
of new offencesunder the Road Traffic Act, 1934,and the various regulations
which have come into force during the past year.
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