The Public Mortuaries.
118. There are 2 public mortuaries, 1 in Victoria and 1 in Kowloon, both in antiquated premises, that in Kowloon having the additional disadvantage of being located on a main thorough- fare. It is hoped to rebuild it shortly on a more suitable site. At the Victoria Public Mortuary 986 post-mortem examinations were performed, of which 288 were medico-legal, cases, including 73 cases dealt with by the Forensic Pathologists. 19 specimens of post-mortem materials, mostly stomachs and contents were sent to the Government Chemist for toxicological examination. 50 specimens of pathological interest were sent to the Patho- logical Institute for histopathological study and several others were sent to the School of Pathology, Hong Kong University, for teaching purposes. At Kowloon Public Mortuary 3,135 post-mortem examinations were carried out during 1955. This figure includes 362 medico-legal cases, of which 115 were examined by the Forensic Pathologists. 58 specimens of post- mortem material, including stomachs and contents, urine and blood were sent to the Government Chemist for toxicological examination. A statistical summary of the work done is attached at Appendix 12.
The Forensic Medical Service.
119. To assist the police in investigating the medical aspects of suspected crimes, 2 medical officers with special experience in forensic medicine are seconded to the Police Department. The work falls into 3 categories:
(a) Forensic
(b) Laboratory
(c) Lecturing and Demonstrating.
The forensic work covers:
(a) The examination of victims and suspects connected
with violent and unnatural crimes;
(b) Calls to assist at scenes of crimes especially in
murders and sudden deaths;
PO
(c) Attendance at Court including giving evidence at Coroners' Inquests, Magistrates' Courts, and the Supreme Court;
(d) Medico-legal post-mortems covering both Hong
Kong and Kowloon;
(e) Raids on unregistered medical practitioners, un- registered dentists, sellers of poisons, and manu- facturers of dangerous drugs.
120. The laboratory work deals mainly with examinations of blood and seminal stains, hairs and fibres, weapons and articles connected with crimes. In addition the laboratory staff blood-group all police recruits before they pass out of the Police Training School.
121. Short lectures and demonstrations are given from time to time to police officers at the laboratory showing medico-legal aspects of certain crimes. Lectures are also given to the medical students at the University.
The Chemical Laboratory.
122. The Government Chemical Laboratory carries out analytical and consulting work for Government departments. the Services, and the commercial community. Government work is done free, but for other work fees are charged according to a prescribed tariff.
123. The volume of work dealt with has shown a marked increase over 1954, 30,850 samples being dealt with as against 27,675. The following table shows very briefly the distribution of this work :·
TABLE 10
1954
1945
Public Health Chemico-legul
14,651
13,267
939
1,124
Commercial
966
791
Revenue Control, Narcotica, Strategic
Materials
10.618
14813
Miscellaneous Government Work
701
855
27,675
30,850
11.
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