Society

Advanced techniques effective in resolving stubborn crimes

By Zhang Yan and Cao Yin (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-03-22 07:14

\ A criminal forensic technologist at the Guangdong provincial public security department conducts tests in this undated photo. [Zhang Yan/China Daily]

GUANGZHOU - Advanced investigation techniques have helped police increase their rate of solving murders to 90 percent, said a senior officer from the Guangdong provincial public security department.

That rate is up from 70 percent 10 years ago, Zhang Rui, director of the Guangdong Criminal Investigation Technology Research Center, told China Daily in an exclusive interview.

"Guangdong has created a professional criminal science and technology system with forensic DNA analysis and pathological examinations playing a leading role," he said.

Traditional techniques include fingerprints and footprints, DNA analysis, audio and video records, voiceprints, facial reconstruction, as well as psychological tests, he said.

According to Zhang, advanced techniques provide clues and direction for solving cases, while also providing evidence for judicial proceedings.

"When investigations stall, advanced techniques can always provide entry points and direction for the investigation, and can become the key for breaking the case," he said.

He cited a parcel bombing in August 2010 in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.

The male victim, surnamed Li, received a wooden box at his company through the mail. When he opened it, the box exploded, injuring his hands.

Faced with several possible suspects, the investigator inferred that the suspect had experience as a carpenter based on the examination of the exploded wooden box.

Working on this important clue, police soon detained the suspect, and according to the suspect's confession he committed the crime to exact revenge on his colleague over some disputes.

Besides providing valuable clues and direction, Zhang said, the techniques have focused more and more attention on establishing the chain of evidence.

"If there is no complete and clear establishment of the evidence chain, a suspect who was involved with a murder case may escape punishment, so it's very important for the technical investigators to be aware of the chain of evidence," according to him.

During the investigation of a murder in Guangzhou in May 2010, investigators found the words of a resort printed on a bag the body was wrapped in.

Following this clue, police found the resort had closed down, and had just one temporary worker running the daily management of the place.

Meanwhile, police discovered the victim also worked for the resort, and through inspecting the victim's residence they collected biological evidence left by the suspect, who was soon arrested.

According to Zhang, the development of criminal investigation techniques still faces challenges, such as the shortage of personnel and funds, disorderly testing, inadequate supervision and management mechanisms, and limited international cooperation programs.

"The techniques are not balanced between coastal cities and inland areas," Luo Yaping, director of criminal technique department at Chinese People's Public Security University, told China Daily. The gap also exists between China and developed countries, she added.

Even now, professional facilities in China are equipped with instruments from developed countries such as the United States, Germany and Japan, because Chinese industries hardly have the ability to make such equipment, Luo said.

China Daily