Word: dermal
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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There are many modern techniques for unearthing clues. For example, laboratories can now determine (by the "dermal nitrate test") whether a suspect has recently fired a gun: if he has, a paraffin cast of the back of his hand, when peeled off, will pull out particles of gunpowder imbedded in the skin. A new X-ray test reveals tiny particles of lead in clothing, showing that a bullet has been fired through it. Dr. Snyder reports that detectives have found the lie detector extremely useful. Though it is exceedingly dubious in the case of pathological liars, drunks, dope addicts...
There is, of course, a moral to the tale--the old adage that love is more than skin deep and that a few dermal alterations won't make the course of true affection change. You may have dropped this notion the same year you recognized poppa's schnozzle above Santa's whiskers, but "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" will make even the most case-hardened cynic wish he believed it true...