Scientist put under the microscope

"Many people had warned me that it would be a tough career when they heard that I was going to be a forensic scientist. But I never regretted what I have done."

Judy Cheng, director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau's Forensic Science Center

Judy Cheng (程曉桂), director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau's (CIB) Forensic Science Center, has been under the spotlight since the March 19 assassination attempt on President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮).

Cheng the top forensic science officer in the country and a student of well-known forensics expert Henry Lee (李昌鈺).

She has been leading her team in collecting, researching and analyzing all the evidence related to the shooting.

Cheng, 45, was sworn in to her current position last summer, after her predecessor, Weng Jing-hui (翁景惠), died of liver cancer on June 16.

Cheng, half Han Chinese and half Aboriginal, was born in Hualien. After taking the Joint College Entrance Exam, she was admitted to three institutes -- the Central Police University's (CPU) Criminal Investigation Department, the National Defense Medical Center's Nursing Department and Tunghai University's Physics Department.

She decided to join the police force because she believed it would be challenging.

She turned to forensic science after she graduated from the police university in 1981.

"I think that is because I have been a curious person since I was a kid," Cheng said. "Many people warned me that it would be a tough career when they heard that I was going to be a forensic scientist. But I never regretted what I have done."

In addition to her bachelor's degree in criminal investigation, Cheng holds a master's degree in forensic science from the police university.

In her job, Cheng has worked with corpses, trash and rotten meat. She said she has always regarded such things as evidence.

Hints

"You will never know what these things may tell you," she said. "And these hints may help my fellow officers to close a criminal case."

In addition to research and analysis, Cheng said her job requires a person who can remain fresh and engage in a constant learning process.

"The more you absorb, the more progress you will make at work," she said.

A forensic scientist in this country usually works more than 12 hours a day.

Unwinding

Cheng finding an engaging activity after long, pressure-filled days is important.

She said she often listens to her favorite music, chats with friends or calls Lee, her mentor, for questions when she is not working. She said she also enjoys going to hot springs.

Cheng a chance to become a student of Lee's in 1989, when she passed an exam for a five-year intensive training program by the National Police Administration.

Cheng Hsieh Sung-shan (謝松善), the current director of the Taipei City Police Department's Forensic Science Center, were the only two officers to pass the exam. The two flew to the US to act as interns for Lee.

Cheng that Lee let them stay at his house and treated them to three meals a day. In addition to taking care of their lodging, Lee took them everywhere he went during the day and led them through lab experiments. At night Lee spent his time discussing the results of their experiments as well as criminal cases.

"From Lee, I realized what it is to be a master," she said.

Cheng known for her willingness to share and her passion to give. She said she got these characteristics from Lee.

Proper attitude

"Experience occupies a good portion of forensic science. To be a good forensic scientist, knowledge and experience are very important," Cheng said.

"Lee showed me the attitude and always helped me whenever I needed it. That is the spirit of the business and I shall pass it on."