A unique insight into Shanghai's 'CSI'
Students learn about collecting and processing biological evidence at the Institute of Forensic Science of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. A lucky few got to learn first hand from Shanghai police how forensics works, and how to avoid loan scams.
The “Criminal Police 803” radio drama is a household name in the city, winning admiration and respect for police from the public for their dedication in safeguarding the city.
It is the police secret weapon of forensics that helps frontline detectives crack crime — similar to the popular US crime series CSI.
The Institute of Forensic Science of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau opened its doors to a select few from the public on Friday for a rare display of some — but certainly not all — of its behind-the-scenes tools.
A policeman tells students about some cold cases which biological evidence technologies were used to solve.
A police officer shows students the different kinds of common illegal drugs and how to identify them.
About 90 students from Fenghua Junior High School and 40 technology enthusiasts from the general public saw first hand how police gather crime scene evidence, process that evidence in labs and watch police dogs in action.
They were allowed into labs which conduct trace examinations, and look for toxicants and narcotics and biological evidence.
They also saw displays of drugs and guns. And watched police dogs as they sniffed out minute traces of blood on the ground, cocaine hidden in a suitcase and explosives under a car.
No matter where it is hidden, police dogs will find it.
“Now I learn police investigation is not an easy task," said Gan Ziyun, a 11-year-old student from Fenghua school.
"I am impressed with how forensic experts always carry out painstaking searches for trace evidence.
"I also learnt their working methods and advanced technologies behind that.”
Chen Cuihua, a long-time fan of "Criminal Police 803," took her 5-year-old son for the open day.
"I grew up listening to radio dramas of ‘Criminal Police 803’, and my son is interested in police work and guns," she said.
"But ordinary people don’t have a chance to walk in the place they work like this and get to know how they work. So I signed up online to get a slot immediately.”
Said student Zhou Shangshan: “I am amazed at the police dogs, they are so cute and clever. Wherever I hid the 'explosives,' the dog found it!”
A police officer wearing a protective arm guard shows how police dogs attack.
A highlight was the canny police dogs.
Police said the open day — part of the Shanghai Science Festival — was not only aimed at popularizing and explaining forensic science, but was also part of the push to make China strong through science, technology and innovation.
The event was also part of the national celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement — the anti-imperialist movement that grew out of student protests in Beijing on May 4, 1919.
Officers also gave talks about common scams and how to avoid them, particularly the growing threat from taolu dai, or fraudulent lending, which includes lending at exorbitant rates of interest, and collecting debts with violence.
In such cases, loan sharks pretend to be legitimate small-loan companies, luring victims — who often do not qualify for bank loans — with unsecured loans.
But they use fake contracts, lie about the amount owed and make baseless lawsuits to demand much more than was agreed in repayments.
If the victim refuses, or cannot pay, a gang of debt collectors use violence and harassment, such as threatening, beating or detaining victims and their families, friends and relatives.
An organized crime investigation unit has been formed in Shanghai to focus on fighting such crimes as part of a national campaign against organized crime and officials who shelter criminal organizations launched in 2018.
City police have nailed 348 groups running loan scams, detained 2,040 suspects and recovered 1.3 billion yuan (US$188 million) for victims in a crackdown from September 2016 to March 2019.
After several years of falling rates, there has not been a single such case in Shanghai this year.
