More than 1,000 of the world's leading practitioners would gather in Hong Kong for the meeting, which will be the second time the triennial conference has been staged in Asia in the event's 45-year history.

Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive director Clara Chong said winning the IAFS 2005 bid reinforced Hong Kong's strength as the premier regional convention and exhibition host for staging conferences, exhibitions, meeting and incentive gatherings, and endorsed Hong Kong's status as a center for advanced forensic capabilities.

Chairman of the IAFS 2005 Organizing Committee S.C. Leung noted that "Hong Kong is widely recognized for its strengths in carrying out Chinese handwriting comparisons, DNA data basing, DNA profiling and quality management."

According to Leung, forensic science had a broad range of applications. It is most commonly used to investigate criminal cases involving a victim, such as assault, robbery, kidnapping, rape or murder.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2002)