FINGERPRINT DEPARTMENT.
77. A summary of work executed in this department during 1937 is as follows:
Year No. of slips searched No. of persons identified No. of slips added to file 1937 23,906 6,964 19,922 12,558 1936 15,704 4,698 16,017 11,319 Increase over 1936 8,202 2,266 3,905 1,23978. During the year 768 persons were dealt with under the Deportation Ordinance. Of these 481 were arrested solely as suspected banishees, and 287 were arrested for other offences and later found to have returned from banishment. Of the total number, 36 were dealt with at Criminal Sessions, 714 by Police Magistrate, and 18 were discharged owing to their having been banished on the wrong form, i.e. Form 7 instead of Form 7A. These persons were later banished on the correct form. During the year 543 Criminal Records were created, making a total of 914 in the Bureau on 31st December, 1937. The total number of records in the files in the Bureau at the end of 1936 totalled 151,789. Out of that number 2,000 were destroyed being persons with clear records for 15 years or more. During 1937, there were 12,558 new records added to the Bureau making a total on record of 162,347 on 31st December, 1937.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SUB-DEPARTMENT.
79. The total number of photographs taken of scenes of serious crime and accidents throughout the year was 40.
80. The number of copies of photographs issued was 3,849 made up as follows:-
For Criminal Investigation Department (including Special Branch) 3,226 For Court 246 For other Departments 377CENSORSHIP OF CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS.
81. During the year, 5,317 reels and 293 trailers were censored at the Hong Kong Preview Studio. Thirty-eight reels were submitted to the Appeal Board.