Hong Kong 2003
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Government Laboratory

The Forensic Science Division of the Government Laboratory provides a wide variety of specialist scientific analytical services to the criminal justice system. It is operationally divided into two groups: the Criminalistics and Quality Management Group and the Drugs, Toxicology and Documents Group.

The latter group comprises the Controlled Drugs Sections, the Forensic Toxicology Sections and the Questioned Documents Sections. In 2003, cases involving 'party drugs' such as ketamine, amphetamine-type stimulant tablets and nimetazepam constituted a large proportion of the submissions to the Controlled Drugs Sections. Requests for ketamine analysis in urine samples submitted to the Forensic Toxicology Sections continued to rise. To cope with the demand, a rapid method capable of analysing 200 samples per day has been developed for ketamine screening and confirmation. In addition to routine handwriting and document examinations, the Questioned Documents Sections also provide consultancy and scientific testing services in respect of the Immigration Department's project to introduce smart identity cards.

The eight specialist sections of the Criminalistics and Quality Management Group carry out various types of laboratory analysis and conduct crime scene examinations. A total of 702 scenes were attended in 2003. As a result of the recognition of the usefulness of DNA profiling in crime investigation, the number of cases submitted to the three Biochemical Sciences Sections for forensic DNA analysis increased from 3 959 in 2002 to 4 083 in 2003.

The DNA Database Section regularly receives outstanding DNA profile data from the Biochemical Sciences Sections, comparing them with those in the DNA database at two levels: (a) legally obtained individuals' DNA profiles against DNA profiles obtained from exhibits in unsolved cases, and (b) between DNA profiles derived from exhibits in unsolved cases. In 2003, there were, respectively, 126 and 54 matches, providing important investigative leads for the Police Force to follow.

The Parentage Testing Section conducts DNA tests for cases relating to Certificate of Entitlement applications under the Immigration Ordinance; the Chemical Sciences Section works mainly on cases requiring chemical analysis and investigates suspicious fires, while the Physical Sciences Section plays an important role in reconstruction of serious traffic accidents. Apart from managing crime scene attendance, the Scene of Crime and Quality Management Section is also responsible for ensuring adherence to the prescribed work standard.

     
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