PUBLIC ORDER
the number of cases showed a marked increase when compared with last year, mainly due to an increase in the number of air- and gas-powered weapons seized.
The bureau plans to purchase sophisticated pieces of equipment, including a computer-assisted comparison microscope, a very sensitive velocity measuring chronograph and another optical comparison microscope. The computer-assisted comparison microscope will greatly enhance the bureau's capabilities.
Continued development of the tests to show that a person has held and fired a gun, have resulted in a significant increase in the sensitivity of these highly scientific techniques.
Identification
The Identification Bureau continued to play an important role in crime detection and investigation, providing an efficient service to all units in the Force in fingerprint technology and forensic photography.
In fingerprint identifications, the bureau achieved high levels of efficiency and service in 1996 with the use of the Computer Assisted Fingerprint Identification System. Altogether, 976 persons were identified in connection with 959 cases. Implementation of Phase II of the system, which entails full computerisation of the bureau's fingerprint records, has been progressing smoothly. The system will become fully operational in April 1997.
During the year, officers from the Scenes of Crime Section attended 22 254 crime scenes. They have endeavoured to improve their service by attending all crime scenes with minimum delay.
The Main Fingerprint Collection Section is principally responsible for confirming people's previous criminal convictions. In 1996, the section processed the fingerprints of 202 315 persons and led to the identification of 91 052 persons with criminal records.
In 1996, the Photographic Section produced 65 500 monochrome photographs and 896 188 colour prints and slides. It was also responsible for making videos of crime re-enactments, video-taped statements from suspects and preparation of photographic exhibits for presentation in court.
Interpol
The Royal Hong Kong Police joined the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO), better known as Interpol, in September 1960 as a sub-bureau of the United Kingdom National Central Bureau. In 1996, ICPO had a membership of 177 member countries or bureaux and 11 sub-bureaux including Hong Kong. A Hong Kong police officer is seconded to the ICPO Secretariat General in Lyon, France, to work in one of its specialised groups.
Interpol aims to ensure and promote the widest possible mutual assistance among police authorities in the prevention and suppression of crime, pursuant to the laws in different ICPO member countries.
Interpol Hong Kong acts as a co-ordination centre in dealing with criminal information and associated inquiries between Hong Kong and Interpol member countries which have diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom. It also maintains close liaison with local consulate officials.
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