Skyscraper: SPC Tung and lensman Chiu Wing-chiu record some high-rise prints

Identification Bureau officers collected prints from the outer wall of a high-rise for the first time ever on October 23.

Senior Police Constables Li Lung-leung, Tung Muk-wan and photographer Chiu Wing-chiu of IB's Advanced Technology Section were called to Lok Fu Estate, Wong Tai Sin, after a murder case the previous day.

It was believed pipes outside a 23-storey building may have been used by the culprit to climb into the flat, so the officers had the unenviable job of examining them from outside using scaffolding.

"Before we started, we had thought about cutting out the specific portion of the pipe which contained the finger prints but that would be too inconvenient to residents.

"We opted for having a photographer take photos of the prints for use as evidence instead," said SPC Li.

And it proved real tough for the lensman. Impossible to firmly hold the camera with his hands under such conditions he had to secure two wooden planks to hold a tripod.

"The scaffolding was vibrating in the strong wind and we had to make every effort to ensure our own safety while taking the photos," Mr Chiu said. The job became even more tedious at night as strong, heavy lighting equipment was needed.

"Most of the time we had to cling fiercely to the scaffolding and could only spare one hand to work which handicapped us," SPC Tung said.

However, their hard work and courage paid off as a number of finger prints were detected. They should prove valuable for the investigation.




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