1889.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 201 



when this method has been employed. Not only can the abraded sur- 

 face be easily distinguished, but particles of graphite are almost inva- 

 riably found. When the original has been obliterated by bleaching 

 with chemicals sometimes used for that purpose, the consequent stain 

 removed and other words substituted, the microscope furnishes a sure 

 and ready means of detection. 



A material change in a legal instrument may sometimes be accom- 

 plished by the addition of a few strokes of the pen here and there, which 

 would escape observation by the most critical eye, yet, when viewed 

 through a glass of adequate power their true character might be re- 

 vealed. 



Prof. Albert McCalla, in his presidential address delivered before this 

 Society at its Chicago meeting, says, " The microscope is an unerring 

 detective." To illustrate the truth of this statement and to show the 

 numerous and unexpected roads through which legal microscopy leads 

 one, I would call attention to an interesting case coming under my ob- 

 servation several years since. 



A burglary had been committed. Prior to the discovery of the crime 

 two men were arrested by the police as suspicious characters. When 

 the theft was reported, suspicion immediately fell upon the prisoners, 

 though nothing could be found upon their persons to connect them with 

 the deed. As a last resort their shoes were submitted, to ascertain if a 

 microscopical examination could possibly reveal the desired clue. These 

 shoes, though by no means microscopic themselves, furnished sufficient 

 material for the most enthusiastic scientist. .Those who have ever ex- 

 amined similar articles, which have been occupied for months in collect- 

 ing specimens, can appreciate the food for scientific thought thus accumu- 

 lated. Mingled with a vast assortment of debris, between the soles and 

 uppers were found little patches of wheat flour. It was then learned 

 that entrance had been effected through a pantry window, and the men 

 in their operations had upset a pan of flour standing on a shelf nearby. 

 Although when first charged with the offence they had denied all knowl- 

 edge of it, yet, when the result of the microscopical examination was 

 made known, they confessed their guilt. 



Another instance in which a crime was detected and demonstrated 

 solely by the aid of the microscope is worth citing : Two elderly maiden 

 sisters lived in a small frame-house in a country village. One night 

 their dwelling was discovered to be on fire. An alarm was imme- 

 diately raised and neighbors collected, who used every effort to subdue 

 the flames, but without avail. The entire house, with its contents, was 

 consumed. A search among the ruins revealed the charred parts of all 

 that remained of the former occupants. The origin of the fire was a 

 mystery. An investigation was ordered to ascertain, if possible, not 

 only its cause, but also to determine whether the sisters were burned to 

 death, or whether murdered and the house burned to conceal the crime. 

 Not enough remained of the bodies to throw any light upon the subject. 

 Their hair, which was long and heavy, was found intact. This was 

 embedded in a puttatious, brownish-colored mass, which I found upon 

 microscopical examination to be composed entirely of blood, which had 

 coagulated and been partially dried by the intense heat, yet had retained 

 sufficient moisture to preserve the hair and pieces of clothing found in 

 the same place. Of course, such an outpouring of blood miist have 



