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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. |
