Police-1968-1969 — Page 40

kilos of heroin and 63.84 kilos of barbitone in various small quantities. In addition, 1,166 kilos of raw opium, 11.21 kilos of morphine and 20.2 kilos of morphine hydrochloride were

hydrochloride were sold to a bona-fide pharmaceutical company in the United Kingdom, by arrangements made through the Crown Agents.

AIDS TO INVESTIGATION SECTIONS

141. The Department of Forensic Pathology consists of a main laboratory in Hong Kong Police Headquarters, and another laboratory in Mong Kok Police Station, Kowloon. It deals mainly with the medico-legal work in close association with the Hong Kong Police Force.

142. Due to the shortage of medical staff and the difficulty in recruiting new medical officers for training as Forensic Pathologists, the running of both public mortuaries in the Colony has been delegated to the Government Institute of Pathology. However, homicidal deaths and deaths from suspicious circumstances, irrespective of whether they died on arrival at the various hospitals or after admission into the hospitals, still remain within the jurisdiction of the Forensic Patholo- gists.

143. During the year work carried out by the staff included:

Examination of victims and suspects

Examination of Exhibits

Blood grouping

+

Attendances at scene of crime

Attendances at Court

Ballistics Office

:

:

720

3,514

4,159

194

124

144. This office is responsible for the examination of fire-arms and explosives used in criminal cases and for the removal and disposal of ammunition and explosives which come into the possession of the Police. There are two ballistics officers on the staff.

145. During the year, investigations were carried out in three criminal shooting cases, 19 Police shooting cases and eight explosive cases. A total of 81 reports of bombs were received, 23 of which were true, 34 hoax and the remainder false reports. Ballistics Officers attended court on six occasions.

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