SHOP-AND-WAREHOUSE-BREAKING

When information is got that thieves have entered a house, shop or warehouse a detective immediately visits the scene usually accompanied by a colleague. If the criminal has escaped, inquiries are at once made of the occupants or the house and of pеrsons in the neighbourhood in order to obtain, if possible, a description of the criminals and of any vehicle used by them. Investigators sometimes find that the criminals are still in the locality of the scene of the crime. When this is so a chase is indicated. If no criminal has been seen near the locality, the next step is to make an exhaustive search of the premises.

The first thing to ascertain is the mode of entry. The door may have been forced with a jemmy, a screw-driver or some other instruments. Bodily pressure maу have been used by the thief or he may have knocked out a pane of glass in the door, inserted his hand and tamed the lock or again he may have forced open a window in the front or rear of the house; or climbed up a stack pipe or ladder.

After this the next thing to be observed is the method of exit, whether by the front door, by unlocking a back door or by an open window, and so on. One detective usually deals with the premises, while another makes a thorough search of the garden and approach roads. The rooms visited by the thief are examined carefully for fingerprints and footmarks. These are carefully preserved for the photographer and copies are taken. Burglars and housebreakers sometimes leave their teeth marks on cheese, apples, and chocolate. The preservation of such articles is important. In the police laboratory the scientist will be able to take a cast.

An exhaustive search is made to find the instrument used to break into the premises. Thieves frequently discard instruments. Investigators also find such clues as coats, hats, caps, and other personal belongings left on the scene of the crime. Criminals sometimes dress themselves on the premises in the tenant's clothing, leaving their own clothes behind.

The detective now takes a full description of the property stolen. The officer who examines the method of approach and escape of the criminal must explore very thoroughly to find the smallest clue.

A minute examination is made for evidence of contact by the criminal. During his excitement or hurry he often leaves fibers of his clothing on some places, in fact it is almost impossible for him to avoid leaving some clue or trace. Every contact leaves traces. Thus the housebreaker will leave footprints on the ground; he will probably throw away part of a cigarette or a match, a packet or a newspaper from which fingerprints can easily be reproduced - all small clues of the highest importance. On the other hand, the contacts made by the offender will leave their traces on him. When he walks the soles of his boots will in damp weather retain earth, sand.

The detective, having established the route taken by the criminal, will select samples of different materials on that route. And when the criminal is arrested, the clothing and boots he is wearing, and those at his home, will be examined for traces of material, cigarettes and matches of the type already obtained as exhibits.