The terms 'corrosive fluid' and 'destructive substance' in s 317 of the Criminal Code (Qld) are ordinary English words with overlapping meanings; a corrosive fluid may also be a destructive substance and usually will be. No expert evidence is required to establish that common substances such as caustic soda or petrol are corrosive or destructive to human skin. A misdirection on an element of an offence that was not in issue at trial does not occasion a miscarriage of justice where the appellant did not object to the direction.
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