assisted in examination of premises suspected of being used by unlicensed medical practitioners and unregistered dentists. 164 post- mortem examinations were also carried out.
112. 2,009 exhibits were examined during the year, mainly in connexion with cases of murder, wounding, sexual offences and motor accidents. Victims and suspects in many cases were also examined. These examinations, both biological and chemical, assisted materially in the successful prosecution of cases in Court. Members of the staff gave twenty one lectures on Forensic Science and Dangerous Drugs to various groups of police officers. Visitors to the laboratory included His Excellency the Governor, medical specialists from America and Japan, and senior police officers from Macau, Burma, Thailand, Malaya, Singapore and Vietnam.
The Government Chemist
113. For all important matters in the field of forensic chemistry the assistance of the Government Chemist is sought and most valuable aid has been given in a spirit of complete co-operation. The examina- tion and analysis of dangerous drugs is a special responsibility of the Government Chemist and has required a great volume of work.
The Ballistics Office
114. The Ballistics Officer dealt with all cases of firearms, ammuni- tion and explosives requiring examination, and in addition gave technical assistance in respect of blasting accidents and explosions. He gave expert evidence in Court in thirty three cases. In a number of breaking offences, and in cases of theft of wire and cables, he established the identity of the cutting tools used. He also gave lectures to C.I.D. officers, and at advanced and recruit training courses.
Identification Bureau
115. The Identification Bureau consists of the main fingerprint section, the scene of crime section and the photographic section. Fingerprint Section
116. The total number of fingerprint forms received during the year was 79,937, a decrease of ninety eight from the previous year. Of the total of 528 fingerprints of dead bodies received 60% were identified. At the end of the year 205,439 sets of prints were on file.
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