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internal investigation group that oversees the conduct of its officers and investigates complaints made against them.
Government Laboratory
The Forensic Science Division of the Government Laboratory plays an essential role in the criminal justice system by providing a comprehensive scientific service to law enforcement departments in Hong Kong. In meeting its commitments and challenges, the division is equipped with a wide range of modern and sophisticated instruments capable of performing sensitive and accurate analysis to the highest standard. As part of a separate government agency, the division adopts an independent and impartial approach to all its work while at the same time maintaining close liaison with the various client departments.
The division has an establishment of 154 staff, comprising 63 professional staff and 91 technical/supporting staff. Operationally there are 11 sections which are organised into two functional groups ¡Xthe Physical and Biochemical Evidence Group (P&BE Group) and the Drugs and Toxicology Group (D&T Group). A specialised unit consisting of well-trained experts is on 24-hour stand-by to assist in the investigation at crime scenes.
The P&BE Group works on mainly comparative, opinion-based evidence, most of which is derived from serious offences such as homicide, robbery, rape and arson. The D&T Group works largely on statutory-based analysis of controlled drugs and poisonous substances in biological samples obtained from deceased persons whose cause of death is unknown. In 2000, the division as a whole issued 9 863 statutory certificates, 8 154 technical reports/expert witness statements and attended 736 crime scenes. These figures indicate an increase in productivity when compared with the 1999 figures of 8 317 statutory certificates and 7 160 technical reports/expert witness statements issued, and 791 investigation at crime scenes.
Two new sections have been created in the P&BE Group to support new initiatives of the Government. One of these is the Parentage Testing Section. Its objective is to conduct parentage verification by means of DNA profiling techniques. The new service is provided to assist the implementation of the Court of Final Appeal's ruling on the right of abode of persons born out-of-wedlock to Hong Kong permanent residents. Another new section of the group is the DNA Database Section, which maintains a database of DNA profiles. Comparison of these with DNA profiles of samples from crime scenes facilitates the detection of crimes. The division's recently established express service for the examination of suspect identity and travel documents, provided by the Questioned Documents Section, has been welcomed by law enforcement departments, and there has been a sharp increase in casework.
Immigration Department
Immigration Control
The Immigration Department plays an important role in maintaining law and order by controlling entry into the HKSAR. Through examination at control points and vetting of entry applications, undesirable persons including international criminals and terrorists are detected and denied entry. In 2000, 12 446 such travellers and 8 345 other persons not in possession of proper documentation were refused permission to land, and 3 382 applications for entry were refused.