PUBLIC ORDER
preparations, analytical toxicology in some death inquiries and blood alcohol analysis in drink-driving cases. It also provides technical advisory services for matters relating to changes in drug legislation.
Drug abuse trends for the year, as evidenced by the figures for cases reported, showed another overall decrease in 1998. Total routine drug abuse cases analysed by the Controlled Drugs section were some 9 436 cases compared with 11 212 in 1997. Heroin remained the major drug of abuse, but reported cases were fewer than in 1997 (6 313 compared with 7 674 in 1997). The number of cases involving methamphetamine in the form of ‘ice' was similar (683 compared with 676 in 1997) while those involving the benzodiazepine drug estazolam increased (60 compared with 47 in 1997). However, the number of cases involving midazolam dropped (1 095 compared with 1 449 in 1997) as did the number involving the 'ecstasy' group of drugs (28 compared with 59 in 1997). A similar number of cases involved cannabis as in 1997 (1 325 compared with 1 246), although the total quantity examined was much greater owing to two large seizures at the beginning of the year.
The Physical and Biochemical Evidence group was involved in a wide range of casework including homicide, arson, robbery, fraud, sexual offences and traffic accidents. Its scene of crime unit provides a 24-hour service. The group's Biochemical Sciences section completed its development of the DNA-related (Polymerase Chain Reaction/Short Tandem Repeats) (PCR/STR) technique during the year and introduced it into casework in September. It is expected that throughput of casework will improve as a result and the discriminating power of the results will be much greater.
During the year, all the professional officers in the Biochemical Sciences section. underwent training in blood pattern analysis, thereby increasing the number of officers available for this specialist crime scene activity offered by the division.
Another specialist scene activity, which is undertaken by the Chemical Sciences section, is the investigation of suspicious and other serious fires. The total number of such fires examined in 1998 was 60 compared with 50 in 1997. These included a 4th alarm fatal fire in January in North Point affecting a shopping arcade and apartments above and a fatal fire in September in Wan Chai at the premises of an illegal residential men's home.
These specialist scene areas, together with those of traffic accident reconstruction and drug manufacturing scene examination, complement the more general activities undertaken by the Scene of Crime Unit. The six staff of this unit attend about 350-400 general scenes a year, the range of cases varying from relatively straightforward burglaries to complex homicides.
Immigration Department
Immigration Control
By controlling entry to the HKSAR, the Immigration Department plays an important role in maintaining law and order. Through examination at control points and vetting of entry applications, undesirable persons including international criminals and terrorists, are detected and denied entry. In 1998, 8 036 such travellers and persons not in possession of proper documentation were refused permission to land and 2 967 people were refused visas/entry permits.
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