328 | Public Order
parentage rate was about four per cent. The Chemical Sciences Section works mainly on cases requiring chemical analysis and investigated 31 suspicious fires in 2006. The Physical Sciences Section plays an important role in investigating traffic accidents. In 2006, a traffic accident reconstruction course was conducted with the Police Force for its officers and laboratory staff. Apart from managing crime scene attendance, the Scene of Crime and Quality Management Section is also responsible for ensuring sustained adherence to the prescribed work standards.
The Drugs, Toxicology and Documents Group comprises two Controlled Drugs Sections, two Forensic Toxicology Sections and the Questioned Documents Section. There was a significant rise in the number of cases examined by the Controlled Drugs Sections in 2006, mainly involving ketamine and heroin. The amount of ketamine cases examined by the sections reached a record high in 2006. The number of benzodiazepines and cocaine cases also continued to rise.
Urinalysis and toxicological examination is the main area of work of the two Forensic Toxicology Sections. In 2006, they were invited by the organising committee of the 15th Interpol International Forensic Science Symposium to present a review on the progress and future developments in toxicology. This invitation represented an international recognition of the professional achievement attained by the sections. As regards the Questioned Documents Section, apart from examining handwritings and documents, it also provides consultancy and scientific testing services for the printing of Hong Kong Identity Cards, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports and the new HKSAR e-Passports.
Immigration Department
Immigration Control
The Immigration Department plays an important role in maintaining law and order by controlling entry into the HKSAR. Through close checks at control points and the vetting of entry applications, undesirable persons including international criminals and terrorists are detected and denied entry. In 2006, some 29 033 such people and 13 216 others not in possession of proper documents were refused permission to enter Hong Kong, while 2 749 applications to enter the city were rejected.
Detection of Forged Travel Documents
Strict measures are taken to guard against the use of forged travel documents. Officers detected 2 387 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 2 334 in 2005. Frequent contact with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates was maintained to exchange information and intelligence on such documents. Special operations were carried out against forgery syndicates.
Interception of Wanted Persons
In 2006, a total of 278 911 wanted persons were intercepted at immigration control points and other offices. They were suspected of being connected with trafficking in dangerous drugs and other criminal offences such as murder and robbery.