ENG-2001 — Page 392

PUBLIC ORDER

324

Identification

The Identification Bureau continued to apply the latest technology in recovering fingerprint evidence from crime scenes, which is a pivotal factor in the investigation and detection of crimes.

To keep abreast of technological advancements, an ordinance that empowers law enforcement agencies to take sample from suspects for DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) profiling came into effect on July 1. In the case of the Police Force, a dedicated group of 'Scene of Crime' officers was assigned to the bureau to provide services for taking DNA samples, for investigative purposes, on a 24-hour basis.

Fingerprint officers from the bureau's Scene of Crime Section were available round- the-clock to attend crime scenes, upon request by investigating officers. In 2001, they attended a total of 16 209 crime scenes.

The Advanced Technology Section, which is equipped with sophisticated instruments, utilised the most recent and productive methods to chemically examine and reveal traces of fingerprints and palmprints on exhibits for 3 007 cases, with 469 persons identified.

The Computer Assisted Fingerprint Identification System, which uses advanced automated fingerprint searching methodology, continued to contribute significantly to the effectiveness and efficiency of the bureau in comparing fingerprints. During the year, 145 633 fingerprints were processed by the system, and it established that 61 228 persons had criminal records. In addition, 647 persons were identified in connection with crimes under investigation. The manual search method, which remained indispensable in identification work, helped to identify 927 suspects.

Officers of the Photographic Section attended 4 422 crime scenes in 2001, producing 87 960 monochrome photographs and 1 305 949 colour prints and slides. Special forensic photographic services such as infra-red, ultraviolet and laser photography, video crime scene re-enactment and printing of photographs from bank surveillance films and video tapes - are available upon demand to police units and other government departments.

Liaison

The Liaison Bureau acts as a co-ordination centre in dealing with all police-related inquiries from overseas police organisations and consulates based in Hong Kong.

The bureau's Liaison Division is responsible for liaison with Mainland police authorities. Close liaison is maintained with the Interpol China National Central Bureau in Beijing, the Guangdong Liaison Office, the Shenzhen and Zhuhai Liaison Sub-Offices in Guangdong and other Mainland law enforcement organisations. Since 1990, 207 criminal fugitives and 283 stolen vehicles have been returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland.

The Interpol Division represents the Police Force in the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO), better known as Interpol, as a sub-bureau of the China National Central Bureau. During the year, a Hong Kong police officer remained on secondment to the ICPO General Secretariat in Lyon, France, to work in one of its specialised groups. Another officer was also attached to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney, Australia, to enhance international co-operation in combating crime.