Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-01
Test of a New Science.

Before the trial even began there was
greater interest in the court test of
forensic ballistics than in the fate Of
the unfortunate Mr.. Campbell. Tenn
porarily held in web OF his own
weaving, there must have been few in
deed who anticipated any other verdict
than that which freed him yesterday
afternoon. But the sc-called science OF
forensic. or court room, ballistics, the
infallibility of which had been preached
loudly and at length, lent peculiar and
dramatic interest to the case. The
prosecution had relied almost wholly
upon the theory that no two bullets pro-
jected from any two guns will bear
similar markings when studied under
the microscope. And, accepting this as
q premise, the prosecution was pre-
pared to demonstrate that the bullets
which killed Mary Baker had been fired
from the gun turned over to the au-
thorities by the unfortunate Mr.. Camp
bell.
But how demonstrate it? The defense
flying as an expert another witness who
was just as certain that there were
flaws in the theory and in its present
application as the prosecution experts
were certain that there were not. The
prosecution challenge that several guns
be fired in the presence of the jury and
that one of the prosecution experts be
permitted to identify the bullets was
Immediately accepted by the defense.
The guns we're fired, the bullets placed
under the microscope. Everything
seemed to depend upon whether the
Governments expert would be able to
do what ne said he could do.
But what denouementi When the
time came to show the results of the
test in court, the Governments expert
still had his eyes-figuratively, at
sleast-glued to a microscope. The test
was still incomplete. And justice, NOV
ing swiftly, could not wait for its out
come. Thus what might have been a
dramatic exposition Of q new and exact
science fell fiat with q dull and hollow
sound. The test will proceed. Its re-
sults may be given, and the Govern
ment expert, sincere and Woodworking
scientist that he is, may yet justify his
claims. Suppose he does? The effect
viii be merely to enshroud in greater
mystery an already bafiing case.
" Two interesting points have been
developed in this trial One is the
commentary on the value of expert
witnesses. The public already knows
the divergent and conflicting views
,sti,at may be produced in court by ex-
perJs in the science of medicine. One
alienist, for instance, win swear that
the defendant is as crazy as a loon
and irresponsible for his acts. The
other will swear that the defendant
was as sane as any man. This situa-
ton could be explained, possibly justi-
ned. Even so, it is not too much to
believe that the day will come when
the court, and the court alone, will
be responsible for the selection of ex-
pert witnesses, their fees to be paid
by the State The present procedure
in selecting, producing and remunerat-
ing experts is nothing short of an in
vitation to miscarriage of justice.
The other point relates TO court room
ballistics as an exact science. The
identification of hngerprints has already
attained that sacred status, and no one
questions it. Forensic ballistics is new.
There are plenty TO doubt the theory.
The example just furnished in Wash
ington is not helpful. But if in truth 1t
is an exact science, it will triumph In
the end. Its use will be confined to
corroborative evidence, circumstantial
rather than definite. 1t is deubtful if
any man will ever be convicted on the
strength Of such evidence alone. Before
It can be used in court with practical
effect in convincing a jury of laymen,
however, it must be Invested of all mys-
terry and become capable OF simple and
Quici: .nonstration. II the Identified
ton yulletS is a science, and not a
the this will result from the val
uaE laboratory research now in
progress.