Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-04-30
Use of the Microscope.

1t is thought that the microscope may De
used to detect secret murders, by examih-
ing the last impression upon the retlna ol
the murdered man. This opinion may prove
erroneous, but the microscope has often
acted the part of all accuser, IN bringing "
LIGHT proofs of criminal acts, which might
osnsrwsss escape detection. The following
inclden is in point:
The value of this disc riminating power
of the microscope was remarkably ilustfaI-
ed in very curious case tried lew years
ago at Norwich, Eagiand. a temaie ch'ld'
about nine wears old, was found one morn
inu.lvinp dead; the cause OF the death be-
in, at once denoted by large deep gash IN
the throat, sever:ng both of the carotid art
cries, the trachea and the esophagus. ous-
picion Immediately 'ell upon the mother OF
the murdered grl, who had been seen by
more than one person Leading her daughter
toward the plantation ON The morning OF the
day upon which the crime was presuiheG u
have been cUmmittec.
Upon being taken into custody, the wo-
man behaved with the almost coolhess; at
once admitted having taken the child 10 the
plantation where the body was tound; Dut
averrcd, tha. having arrived there, the g:rl
ran about gathering wild flowers; that she
subsequently, lost sight of her, and alter
long search, returned home without her.
Upon being searched, there was found In
the wuman's possession large, sharp knife,
which was at once subjected to a minute
and careful examination. Nothing, how
ever, was found upon it. with the exception
of few pieces oil hair adherlng to the
handle, SO exceedingly small as scarcely te
be visible. The examination being CON
Quoted in the presence oil the prisoner ane
the officer remarking,
Here is bit of fur or hair on the handle
of your knife
The woman Immediately replied:
Yes, dare say there is, and very hKei!
some stains of blood, for, as came home,
found rabbit caught in snare, and cut 1T
throat with the knie.'
The knife was sent 20 London, and, witt
the particles of hair, subjected to micro
scopic examination. No traces OF Dloo
could at first be detected upon the weapon
which appeared to have been washed; ou
upon separating the horn handle from 1t
u iron lining, it was found that between tn
!, two fluid had penetrated, which turned ou
u to be blood certainly, not the biood OIL
ra rab5is:,sut bearing every resemblance
e that Of human body. Then came the ez
1t animation of the hair, which added power
II fully to the presum ption of the prisoner
y : guilt. Without knowing any thing Oh III
'' facts of the case, the microscopic imm'
diately declared the hair 10 be that OF
squirrel in this he could not be m'stakei
II for the fur OF one animal differs SO enlireI
'e from that OF another. not lonly in its slz
~ color, etc., but from its actual CONSTRUCTOR
n' tn at it is altogether impossible to mistaf
'e it when under the microscope. Now roui
Ut the neck of the chi d, at the time oil u
'' murder, there was tippet or 'vlctorine
'e over which then the knife, by whosoev
D held, must have gllded, and this Victorii
~ was made of squirrels fur! The sirol
'e circumstantial evidence oil the guilt OF u
at prisoner was deemed BY the jury suihcie
'e for conviction; and while awaiting t
eh ecution, the wretched woman fully confess
her crime.