The Government Laboratory's Forensic Science Division (FSD) provides the criminal justice system in Hong Kong with a wide range of specialist scientific analytical services. The FSD is divided into two groups. In 2006, it examined a total of 451 crime scenes.

The Criminalistics and Quality Management Group comprises seven sections covering six major areas of work. The two Biochemical Sciences Sections (BSS) handle forensic DNA analysis. The number of DNA cases submitted to the BSS to analyse decreased by about 12 per cent to 4 161 from 4 734 in 2005. This has allowed resources to be diverted to developing new methodologies in line with world trends. Besides, the BSS receives regularly DNA data on convicted offenders, suspects and volunteers from the DNA Database Section, and compare them with outstanding DNA profiles obtained from unsolved cases. Comparisons are also conducted among outstanding DNA profiles from different unresolved cases to look for possible connections. In 2006 there were 158 and 52 pairs of matches in the two types of comparison, providing important investigative leads for the Police to follow up. The Parentage Testing Section deals with cases pertaining to right of abode applications. There were 2 726 cases submitted mainly by the Immigration Department in 2005 but the figure decreased slightly to 2 672 this year. The average mismatched parentage rate was about four per cent. The Chemical Sciences Section works mainly on cases requiring chemical analysis and investigated 31 suspicious fires in 2006. The Physical Sciences Section plays an important role in investigating traffic accidents. In 2006, a traffic accident reconstruction course was conducted with the Police Force for its officers and laboratory staff. Apart from managing crime scene attendance, the Scene of Crime and Quality Management Section is also responsible for ensuring sustained adherence to the prescribed work standards.

The Drugs, Toxicology and Documents Group comprises two Controlled Drugs Sections, two Forensic Toxicology Sections and the Questioned Documents Section. There was a significant rise in the number of cases examined by the Controlled Drugs Sections in 2006, mainly involving ketamine and heroin. The amount of ketamine cases examined by the sections reached a record high in 2006. The number of benzodiazepines and cocaine cases also continued to rise.

Urinalysis and toxicological examination is the main area of work of the two Forensic Toxicology Sections. In 2006, they were invited by the organising committee of the 15th Interpol International Forensic Science Symposium to present a review on the progress and future developments in toxicology. This invitation represented an international recognition of the professional achievement attained by the sections. As regards the Questioned Documents Section, apart from examining handwritings and documents, it also provides consultancy and scientific testing services for the printing of Hong Kong Identity Cards, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports and the new HKSAR e-Passports.