Forensic Science Division

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Biochemical Sciences Sections

Staff checking experimental data
Staff checking experimental data

The Biochemical Sciences Sections comprise two sections, A and B, which work in parallel and which are responsible for the identification and individualization of biological evidence materials submitted for examination. These come mostly from crimes against the person/property, such as homicide, rape, burglary, etc. The aim of the examination is in attempting to trace the source of a particular piece of evidence material. For example, bloodstaining /semen staining found in a rape case can be shown to be indistinguishable from that of a suspect; or, an abandoned foetus can be shown to be the possible offspring of a couple (parentage analysis) in an infanticide case; or, a piece of meat is shown to be of canine origin in an illegal meat sale.

The professional officers in the sections are also involved in some special examinations, particularly in the area of blood spatter pattern interpretation at crime scenes.


Key Personnel

Biochemical Sciences A Section

Senior Chemist and Chemist
(E-mail address)
Tel. No.
Mr. P W Wong, Senior Chemist
(pwwong@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3783
Mr. C W Chau, Chemist
(cwchau@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3778
Ms. Fanny L F Fung, Chemist
(lffung@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3771
Mr. Steven H T Tsui, Chemist
(httsui@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3766
Ms. Lydia L M Wong, Chemist
(lmwong@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3777

Biochemical Sciences B Section

Senior Chemist and Chemist
(E-mail address)
Tel. No.

Ms. Christina Li, Senior Chemist
(cli@govtlab.gov.hk)

2762-3770
Ms. Carmen K M Chan, Chemist
(kmchan@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3773
Mr. Ivan S H Ho, Chemist
(shho@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3772
Dr. Stephen C Y Ip, Chemist
(cyip@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3799
Ms. Priscilla S W Lin, Chemist
(swlin@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3763

Dr. Albert W K Wai, Chemist
(wkwai@govtlab.gov.hk)

2762-3774



Staff working on the DNA sequencer
Staff working on the DNA sequencer
Starting from 1998, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based DNA profiling has become the main analytical method for the examination of biological evidence in forensic casework. In 2004, a new analytical kit has been introduced into the system, which enables simultaneous amplification of up to fifteen DNA characteristics plus sex. This analytical kit together with a new robotic workstation and detection platform has greatly enhanced the sample throughput, efficiency, sensitivity and degree of certainty in the identification of the source of samples, with the discrimination among the population for a person being up to the order of quadrillions to one.


Key Instruments

Smoking machine
Automatic Liquid Handling System

The following instruments are used routinely by the Section:

  • Genetic Analyzers
  • Automated Liquid Handling Systems
  • Sequence Detection Systems
  • PCR Thermocyclers

Genetic Analyzer


Targets and Key Indicators

Key Performance Measures Relating to the Forensic Science Services

Targets

Targets are defined as the percentage of completed cases whose individual case-completion time does not exceed a specified number of working day(s)

Category Targets 2008
(Actual)
2009
(Actual)
2010
(Plan)
Biochemical grouping (DNA profiling) -        
non-complicated cases completed within 88 working days (%)@# 90 98 98 N.A.*
non-complicated cases completed within 66 working days (%)@* 90 N.A. N.A. 90
complicated cases completed within 154 working days (%)@ 90 96 99 N.A.*
complicated cases completed within 130 working days (%)@* 90 N.A. N.A. 90

@ From 2009 onwards, the targets are re-defined to be the percentage of completed cases whose individual case-completion time does not exceed a specified number of working day(s), instead of a targeted case-completion time (in working days) which is expected to be met in 80 per cent of the examined cases, in order to better reflect the work performance of the forensic services.
* From 2010 onwards, the target of “non-complicated cases” under “biochemical grouping (DNA profiling)” will be enhanced from completion within 88 working days to completion within 66 working days; and the target of “complicated cases” from completion within 154 working days to completion within 130 working days.
# From 2009 onwards, the previous target of “routine cases” under “biochemical grouping (DNA profiling)” has been re-named as “non-complicated cases completed within 88 working days” as a contrasting term to the other “complicated cases”.

Key Indicators

Key indicators are the number of cases completed

Number of Cases Investigated 2008
(Actual)
2009
(Actual)
2010
(Estimate)
Biochemical sciences -
     non-complicated#
     complicated

1,642
1,624

1,296
1,585

1,300
1,600

From 2009 onwards, the previous indicator of “biochemical sciences – routine” has been re-named as “biochemical sciences – non-complicated” as a contrasting term to the other “complicated cases”.

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