asked the Lord Privy Seal, in cases where gunshot wounds have resulted in death in Hong Kong, what instructions are laid down in police general orders or other instructions regarding the use of paraffin tests or other forensic tests on the hands of persons who may have fired any firearm; and whether any special instructions are laid down where the agent or victim of such wounds is or was a police officer.
There is no requirement in police orders for particular forensic tests in shooting cases, whether or not the agent or victim is a police officer. Police officers are instructed as to the assistance available from forensic or other experts. In Hong Kong the automatic absorption spectroscopy test for gunshot residue is used rather than the paraffin test.