Modus Operandi Office
149. Increasing use was made during the year of the Modus Operandi Office, which maintains an extensive crime and method index. Positive identification was made in many cases. This section also keeps records and assists in tracing missing persons, identifying dead bodies, and recovering stolen property.
Statistics Office
150. The Statistics Office, situated at Police Headquarters, is responsible for the collection of all data regarding crime, and the compilation of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual crime returns and reports. Special records of many types of serious crime are maintained. The section is also responsible for the publication of Police Gazettes and notices, and controls the printing section which operates a Multilith printing machine.
COURTS
151. The Courts of Hong Kong consist of the Supreme Court of the Colony, two District Courts one in Hong Kong and one in Kowloon, and three Magistracies and a Marine Court. Prosecutors in the District Court are Crown Law Officers and two Police Inspectors specially appointed by warrant.
152. Work in the Magistracies continued to increase in volume. In January it was found necessary at the Kowloon Magistracy to institute a night court to deal with the great volume of miscellaneous offenders awaiting hearing. This Court, which sits from 6 o'clock until 10 o'clock in the evenings, deals mainly with hawkers and other minor offenders. Work has commenced on the building of a new Magistracy in the Bay View district of Hong Kong.
POLICE DOG UNIT
153. The strength of the Police Dog Unit has remained at thirty dogs throughout the year. Of this total twenty four are German Shepherd dogs trained for general patrol duties, four are Doberman Pinchers trained for tracking, and two are cross-breed Pointer-German Shepherd dogs trained in locating opium.
154. An Inspector of Police is in charge of the Unit, assisted by a Sergeant Dog Handler, three Corporals and twenty six P.C. Dog Handlers.
155. The dogs have been effective in the prevention of crime in urban and suburban areas. Serious crime has been practically non-
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