On March 19 last year, the day before Taiwan's presidential election, Vice President Annette Lu and I were shot when campaigning in Tainan. To find out the truth of the incident, world renowned forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee, who is also the consultant general of technology to MJIB, and his team were invited to come to Taiwan to carry out extensive forensic work, including collecting evidence from the scene of the shooting and reconstructing the scene. Dr. Lee later produced a 130-page report on the 3-19 shooting. Upon the delivery of the report, Dr. Lee remarked: "Let the evidence speak what it stands for." Dr. Lee's evidence-based report fully demonstrates what he said about evidence because throughout pages of the report, we see facts told by physical evidence are presented in a strictly scientific manner. Taiwan's Supreme Prosecutors Office published the Chinese and English versions of Dr. Lee's complete report on its Web site for the general public's reference. The publication of Dr. Lee's report marked one of the most crucial points in the process investigating the highly sensitive and serious 3-19 incident.
Thanks to the support of Dr. Lee and many internationally renowned forensic scientists, the push of the Ministry of Justice, and the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other related agencies, the Investigation Bureau has successfully organized this International Forensic Science Symposium. We hope that forensic experts from home and abroad can take this opportunity to exchange experiences and opinions.
What makes this symposium special is that its discussion topics, such as "forensic science and judicial system," "credibility of forensic science and export witness" and "management and accreditation of forensic labs," also cover certain legal issues. Symposium participants will study the relevance between forensic science and court activities in individual countries and discuss the important role forensic science plays through looking at particular cases. We hope that the Investigation Bureau will establish a forensic laboratory that meets the international standard in the future.
More than 220 foreign experts and academics from nearly 50 countries and 150 Taiwanese forensic investigators have been invited to join this symposium, which will publish more than 220 papers. The scope of this meeting is larger than the previous international forensic science symposium held by the Investigation Bureau in 1994. I hope that this symposium will be a good occasion for you to exchange ideas and experiences.
Today, international transportation is very convenient and international interactions are intensive. We believe that no country alone can effectively prevent or curb crimes. Forensic science is a unique scientific discipline that requires its practitioners to have advanced technical skills and knowledge. International cooperation and exchange will greatly help forensic experts to contribute more effectively to the prevention of crime.
The Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) TV shows, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, who made blockbuster action films and is one of Hollywood's most successful producers, have proven exceptionally popular with audiences both in the United States and many other countries. Each episode, a team of forensic investigators goes about solving a crime through the ingenious appliance of science and the extensive resources they gather. Many of our distinguished guests in this symposium also face the highly challenging tasks that the CSI heroes handle. A report pointed out that the success of CSI shows has led more American students to choose to major in forensic science or related disciplines. We hope that more youth in Taiwan will be interested in joining this profession, too.
I would like to once again welcome your participation in this symposium. I hope that our distinguished guests will offer comments or advice regarding how our country should develop its forensic science and training. I would also like to thank former director general of the Investigation Bureau Dr. Wu, Dr. Henry Lee and the host MJIB for your efforts, commitment and contribution in organizing this event.
Heated local election campaigns are going on in many places in our country as our distinguished guests participate sessions in this symposium. You will learn more about the development of forensic science in Taiwan and enjoy our country's beautiful scenery during your stay here. I hope that you will also be witnesses to democracy and freedom in Taiwan's society and share the Taiwan people's joy and pride in their political, economic and social achievements. In closing, I would like to wish our distinguished guests health, happiness and a wonderful trip, and the symposium great success. Thank you!