Officer Denies DNA Mishandling in Abby Choi Trial
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A police sergeant at the centre of the arrest of third defendant Kwong Kong-chi denied defence claims that he mishandled oral DNA swab procedures or injured Kwong through rough treatment during arrest. The High Court also heard agreed facts that biological samples and fingerprint evidence in the case were properly collected without unlawful interference, while a hammer recovered from the crime scene did not contain Abby Choi’s DNA.
Key Points
- Sergeant Lam Chun, formerly a West Kowloon Regional Crime Unit detective and now a sergeant, continued giving evidence on October 29 in the High Court trial.
- Lam said he arrested Kwong Kong-chi on February 25, 2023 at the Tung Chung Development Pier, where Kwong struggled, fell and suffered a 2cm by 2cm abrasion on his right cheek
- Under cross-examination, Lam rejected claims he failed to record barcode numbers or tamper-evident bag details for Kwong’s oral swab, saying standard procedures were followed.
- Lam told the court unlabeled samples would not be accepted by exhibit officers or the Government Laboratory, and a government chemist said the evidence bag arrived sealed and intact.
- Agreed facts stated DNA, bodily samples, fingerprints and palm prints from the three defendants, Abby Choi and her relatives were properly collected, and no Abby Choi DNA was found on a round-headed hammer.
Why It Matters
The evidence goes to the chain of custody and reliability of forensic material in one of Hong Kong’s most closely watched murder trials. Deputy High Court Judge Brian Keith adjourned the case to October 30, after the court also noted a legal issue following the government chemist’s evidence.