LETTER: Falling foul of film processors and the police

From Mr R. E. Toogood

Sir: For many years I was employed as a medical photographer by a small group of hospitals, including a large psychiatric one. As some of the pictures I was required to produce bordered on the risque or even pornographic, from the layman's point of view, and as I was using Kodachrome, in those days considered a purely amateur film, I contacted a friend at Kodak to inquire about handling procedures.

"What do you normally do if you see any funny stuff going through?" I asked.

"Well, we have checkers looking out for that sort of thing, and if they see anything doubtful they pull it out. Then we send a letter to the owner telling them that we cannot send these films through the post, as it is illegal; but if they'd like to call in to our office in Kingsway, London, they can pick the films up."

"And does anyone ever call?" I asked.

"No."

Surely a reasonable and efficient way of dealing with the problem, without offending the innocent.

Yours sincerely,

R. E. Toogood

Canterbury,

Kent

6 November