They're Always Caught (1938)

Well as if you didn’t know already… crime does not pay! This edition from the MGM crime reporter tells us the story of a mayor determined to stamp out organised crime. The first five minutes illustrate to us that now he hasn’t his enemies to seek, and so when he ends up singing with the angels, we’re not surprised and the police forensic experts have quite a conundrum to solve. They do have an obvious candidate, but is he just too convenient, especially as one of the late official’s aides looks like he is trying to railroad the process for a quick conviction? It is all a bit basic, but it does quite interestingly showcase just how scientific advances can glean clues from the most innocuous of fibres, powders and fabrics that might be ordinarily commonplace, but when used to build a case, can prove remarkably effective. This one is a little contrived, but if you are an arch-criminal planning a dastardly crime, it might just teach you to wear an hair-net and some mittens.