Telephone conversation 1
North Yorkshire Police.
Hello. Listen. I’ve just seen Peter Anderson! In the ...
One moment, please.
Peter Anderson! The murderer! He’s here in Newtown! I saw him in the street! He...
One moment, please.
He’s a big man, with short black hair and a scar on his face. He’s 25 or ...
What is your name, please?
Mrs Collins. He’s 25 or 26. He’s got...
Your address, Mrs Collins?
Blue eyes, I think. And what a big nose he’s got! I know it’s him. He’s wearing a black jacket and green trousers...
Telephone conversation 2
Thames Valley Police.
Hello. I’ve seen Peter Anderson.
One moment, please.
Hello. Detective Sergeant Calien speaking. Can I help you?
Yes. I’ve just seen Peter Anderson. In the post office. Here in Chilton.
Can I have your name and address, please, sir?
Robert Sands. 17 High Street, Chilton. I’m sure it was Anderson. He’s very tall, with long dark hair, a big nose, green eyes, and a scar on the left-hand side of his face. About 35 years old.
What was he wearing?
Telephone conversation 3
... and can you describe the man, Mr Harris?
Yes. He’s quite tall, about 25 or 30, with long fair hair, big ears, and a scar under his left eye. Oh, and he’s got a big nose.
Colour of eyes?
I’ve no idea.
What was he wearing?
A blue jacket and brown trousers ... .
Have a rest
It is interesting to know
«Forensic science» is the term used to describe the special methods for investigating crimes. These are some of the most common ways the police use.
Fingerprinting. In 1898, Sir Edward Henry, an eminent scientist discovered that there were three distinct patterns in fingerprints-arches, whorls and loops. As no two people on earth have the same fingerprints (not even identical twins), fingerprint soon became a vital method of identifying criminals. Fingerprints left on objects at the scene of a crime can be matched to those of a suspect and used as evidence in court.
Footprints. Footprints found in soil, dust, sand or on shiny surfaces can give vital clues to a person’s build, weight and how they walked.
Blood. Scientists can tell a person’s blood group by examining even the tiniest drop of blood or stain left at the scene of a crime.
* * *
Is that a fact?
Your fingerprints are formed during the fourth and fifth months of life in the womb.
Fingerprints of all convicted criminals (about 3 million in Britain) are recorded on police computer files.
The first time fingerprinting was used in a murder trial was ini 1905, when Alfred and Albert Stratton were found guilty of killing Mr. and Mrs. Farrow at their shop in Deptford.
For a fingerprint to be used as evidence in court, there must be at least 16 similarities between the fingerprints found at the scene of the crime and those of the suspect.
* * *