1 lng=non's Death
p.4
were totally consonant with normality and the expectation
that this was to be another working day.
Psychological Report/Lack of a suicide note
Dr. Neil Goodman, a practising psychologist (and formerly
a teacher at the Chinese University) gave evidence at the
inquest as an expert witness. His evidence consisted of
an amplification of the conclusions he had arrived at in
a report he had prepared on the deceased's writings at
the request of the Chinese University Students Union.
[See Appendix I]
In his evidence he further stressed the significance,
in his view, of the lack of a suicide note in this case,
observing that the presence of such a note is generally
the norm in Chinese student suicides, the major cause
of which, in Hong Kong, is exam failure.
Dr. Goodman's overall conclusion was that he could
find no evidence whatsoever of any motivation for suicide,
and that after reviewing all the available data was of
the opinion that he could safely negative suicide as a
possibility.
CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH PLACE THE AUTHORITIES ON NOTICE
Wher viewed against the established improbability of suicide in
this case, the following circumstances constitute further
indication that a new investigation into the cause of death is
highly desirable.
1
Place of work
The evidence of his superior at Yaumati Police Station,
Divisional Superintendent Barnes, was that Liu Ping-hon
appeared to be making satisfactory progress in his new
post. Certainly Superintendent Barnes had no doubts
that once he had settled in he would have been equal to
the responsibility he had been given. It appears, however,
that Liu Ping-hon was not completely happy with this
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