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PUBLIC ORDER
Crime Information
The Criminal Records Bureau is the sole repository for all criminal records in Hong Kong. It houses complete records of all persons convicted of crime in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The various records and indices provide details of wanted persons, missing persons, stolen property, outstanding warrants and missing vehicles. The bureau is also responsible for the operation of the 'Enhanced Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System' which provides immediate case enquiry support to all operational officers on a 24-hour basis. The bureau is gradually introducing a fully computerised system to house all records and to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Ballistics and Firearms Identification
The Ballistics and Firearms Identification Bureau is the HKSAR's authority on arms and ammunition. It is responsible for forensic investigations of all firearms-related crime cases in Hong Kong.
The bureau's recent acquisition of very sophisticated equipment, including a computerised system for the capture of digital image photomicrographs, has significantly improved the service which can be provided to courts. The purchase of a computerised comparison microscope has enhanced the bureau's ability to capture images of micro stria on fired ammunition, which can be checked against all firearms- related crime cases. This equipment gives the bureau investigation capabilities available to few forensic firearms facilities in the world, which is a great step forward for the Force in the investigation of armed crime.
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 and other law enforcement departments in fingerprint technology and forensic photography.
On fingerprint identifications, the bureau achieved a high level of efficiency and service in 1997 with the implementation of Phase II of the Computer Assisted Fingerprint Identification System and the introduction of new fingerprint recovery techniques by the Advanced Technology Unit. Altogether 1 278 persons were identified in connection with 1 243 crime cases. After the identifications, fingerprint experts presented expert evidence in 394 cases.
During the year, officers from the Scenes of Crime Section attended 15 942 crime scenes. In confirming people's previous criminal convictions, the bureau processed the fingerprints of 151 867 persons, which led to the identifications of 68 843 with criminal records.
The Photographic Section produced 80 217 monochrome photographs and 945 486 colour prints and slides in 1997. It made videos of crime re-enactments and prepared photographic exhibits for presentation in courts.
Liaison
Liaison Bureau (the former Interpol Bureau) acts as a co-ordination centre in dealing with criminal information and associated inquiries between the Hong Kong Police