Legislative Council Panel Visits Hong Kong Police's Forensic Identification Bureau to Enhance Crime Investigation Techniques

LegCo Panel on Security visits Identification Bureau of Hong Kong Police Force

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council Panel on Security visited the Identification Bureau (IB) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (March 17) to gain a deeper understanding on the forensics examination services and facilities of IB.

Accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, Members were first given an overview of the IB's structure and role in forensic investigation by HKPF representatives. IB is a specialist bureau providing, among others, professional fingerprint examination, DNA collection and firearms examination services. Members noted that IB plans to upgrade its Computer Assisted Palmprint and Fingerprint Identification System to further boost both examination efficiency and accuracy.

Afterwards, Members visited the Crime Scene Investigation Mobile Lab, a specially retrofitted police vehicle put into operation in 2024 to assist HKPF in quickly obtaining fingerprint test results in serious cases.

Members also visited the Forensic Fingerprint Lab, which was expanded in 2023, to observe demonstrations of how the latest technology helps HKPF quickly identify suspects and hence improve criminal investigation efficiency. Members noted that the expanded lab has strengthened the IB's capability to handle larger, more complex exhibits using sophisticated technology. On average, the lab examines over 36 000 pieces of evidence each year.

During the visit, Members exchanged views with officers of the Security Bureau and HKPF on using artificial intelligence systems and other innovative technologies to support forensic examination work. They encouraged HKPF to continue leveraging technology in crime fighting and prevention, working together to safeguard Hong Kong.

A total of 20 members and non-members of the Panel on Security participated in the visit.

LegCo Panel on Security visits Identification Bureau of Hong Kong Police Force Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Panel on Security visits Identification Bureau of Hong Kong Police Force Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Panel on Security visits Identification Bureau of Hong Kong Police Force Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Response by LegCo President and two Chief Coordinators of LegCo on Chief Executive's announcement this morning

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The following is the response by the President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, and the two Chief Coordinators of LegCo on the Chief Executive's announcement this morning (March 17):

The Chief Executive announced this morning, under the executive-led system, the establishment of a collaborative research and public opinion gathering mechanism between the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and LegCo, enabling LegCo to effectively assist the HKSAR Government in completing the first Five-Year Plan for the HKSAR within a tight time frame. The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and relevant LegCo committees will advance the work through a joint platform.

The HKSAR Government's establishment of the collaboration mechanism with LegCo for this important task is a groundbreaking and innovative move, further demonstrating a positive executive-legislative interaction at a new level. As the most important platform for gathering public views in Hong Kong, and with the Members as representatives of public opinion, LegCo will fully support this mechanism. Members will demonstrate dedication and spare no effort to actively collect views from all sectors. Through comprehensive research and analysis, LegCo will pool ideas and submit reports to the HKSAR Government, so as to outline the important blueprint for the development of the HKSAR and effectively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Together with the two Chief Coordinators of LegCo (Mr Chan Chun-ying and Mr Stanley Ng) and all other LegCo Members, I eagerly look forward to this collaboration mechanism promptly commencing its work, which is highly important and meaningful for both the country and the HKSAR. We will do our very best to assist the HKSAR Government in completing the city's first Five-Year Plan at the earliest opportunity, cultivating a new collaborative paradigm for good governance of Hong Kong, and working together to pursue development for Hong Kong and bring happiness to the people.

Source: AI-found images