Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-27

devices to the comparison microscope
DR.. Souder explained mirrors had been
made a part of the equipment in order
that better illumination might be pro-
vided.
At the conclusion of this line of
questioning, Van Doren objected to
introduction of the pictures. Justice
Adkins overruled the objection and an
exception was entered.
DR.. Souder pointed out test bullets
had been fired into cotton waste before
their examination beneath the mi
croscope. He said the mortal and test
slugs then were placed beneath the
comparison microscope and studied in
various positions. He said the object
was to find scratches on two lead
pellets which correspondent. He said
these marks were result of the bullet
passing through the barrel. The witness
declared there were two general types
of situations. One class was caused, he
said. by mechanical nature of the
barrel. while the other was caused by
rust marks.
Ten or twelve pistols were examined
at the Bureau Of Standards before the
Campbell pistol entered the Baker case,
DR.. Souder said. This remark resulted
in an objection which was overruled.
The witness then outlined the results
of his examination of the other weapons.
none of which were found to have any
bearing on the case.
DR.. Soudsr said he was more con-
cerned with finer scratches on the
bullets than with more pronounced
marks
He said the finer scratches lead to
definite conclusions.
Under crosse Examination, DR.. Souder
testified various parts of the COMPARE
son microscope used in the test were
made by different manufacturers. He
said the lens was made in Blfsalo and
the reflector in Berlin while other sec
lions were manufactured elsewhere He
said the test bullets he used had been
fired by Lieut.. John Fowler of The
Washington police force. The cross
examiner sought to show that marks
on one of the test bullets were more
indicative of the experts conclusion
than were scratches on the other test
slugs. Van Doren finally drew from
the witness the statement that the test
bullet of which photographs were made
was best suited" for his purposes.
Asks Questions About Marks.
The defense attorney lead Souder to
the jury box and questioned him at
length concerning the various marks
made visible by photographs. Questions
such as what is down below to match
these two lines here?" were frequent
as Van Doren undertook without sue
cess to cause DR.. Souder to say the
photographs were not convincing.
Dr. Souder said there were total of
10 scratches on the various photographs
shown the jury which agreed. He
estimated an equal number of marks
which matched on the mortal and test
bullets had not been indicated to the
jury. He said there were perhaps 15C
marks In all on the various pictures.
While this questioning was in process,
the defendant sat at a well lighted Sec
ton of the room and examined prints
OF the pictures.
Van Doren asked whether the shadows
on the edges of the bullets reproduced
in the photographs indicated that the
microscope had been out of focus. The
witness explained the instrument was
| in focus except IN so far as the extreme
edges of the bullets were concerned
"Do you claim the study OF ballistics
is an exact science?" Van Doren de-
manded.
II believe 1t Is" the witness answered
Just before Dr. Souder left the stand
Van Doren asked whether he had ever
| testified in any court In the country
! before. The answer was in the negative
why haven't your" the lawyer in.
quired..
my director objects becsAse 1t take.