Forensic Science Division

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Chemical Sciences Section

Examination of the fluoresence property of textile fibres
Preservation of fibre contact evidence

The Chemical Sciences Section deals with a wide variety of cases, with particular emphasis on offences against the person and against property. The work of the section is broadly divided into three categories:

  • Trace Evidence Examination;
  • Miscellaneous Chemical Investigation;
  • Fire Investigation.

In addition to laboratory work, the professional staff of the section are also responsible for attending suspicious fire scenes to establish the cause of fire.


Comparison macroscope
Scanning electron microscope

While the miscellaneous chemical and liquor analysis work areas involve mainly straightforward analytical work, trace evidence examination is often painstaking and labour intensive. This area of work includes the examination of such trace materials as textile fibres, glass, paint and soil. Although costly in terms of manpower and working time, trace evidence frequently plays a major part in the evidence produced in major crime investigations, justifying the input and commitment apportioned to it.



Key Personnel

The professional staff in the section are as follows:

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

Dr. W C Cheng, Senior Chemist
(wccheng@govtlab.gov.hk)

2762-3759
Dr. David T W Chan, Chemist
(twdchan@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3758
Dr. Billy K O Leung , Chemist
(kobleung@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3755
Dr. Jimmy C N Tam, Chemist
(cntam@govtlab.gov.hk)
2762-3758

Dr. W C Wong, Chemist
(wincwong@govtlab.gov.hk)

2762-3757


Key Instruments

High performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry system
Automatic thermal desorption - gas chromatograph - mass spectrometer

Key instruments in the section :

  • Automatic thermal desorption - gas chromatograph - mass spectrometer
  • Fourier transform infrared ¡V microscope
  • GRIM3 Glass refractive index measurement system
  • Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive detector


Targets and Key Indicators

Key Performance Measures Relating to the Forensic Science Services

Targets

Targets are defined as the number of working days required to complete 80% of cases

Category Targets Working Days Per Case 2006
(Actual)
2007
(Actual)
2008
(Plan)
Trace evidence 66 71 66 66
Miscellaneous Chemical Investigation 33 31 23 27
Fire Investigation 88 124 102 100

Key Indicators

Key indicators are the number of cases completed

Number of Cases Investigated 2006
(Actual)
2007
(Actual)
2008
(Estimate)
Trace evidence 469 559 500
Miscellaneous Chemical Investigation 320 297 320
Fire Investigation 31 27 30

TOTAL

820 883 850

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