Forensic Heroes III

Forensic Heroes III is a 2011 Hong Kong police procedural television drama produced by Television Broadcasts Limited. It stars Wayne Lai, Maggie Cheung, Kate Tsui, Ron Ng, Aimee Chan, Edwin Siu, Nancy Wu and Ruco Chan in the reboot of the Forensic Heroes series, featuring new stories and characters. Mui Siu-ching, who also produced the original series, serves as the executive producer.
The drama was a ratings success, and is Hong Kong's highest-rating serial drama of 2011.

Synopsis

Senior Forensic Chemist Jack Po, better known as Pro Sir, is the head of the Forensic Science Department and is skilled at analysing criminal psychology. He has a unique view on human nature and is familiar with the structure of various firearms. Pro Sir works closely with Senior Forensic Pathologist Mandy Chung in a wide range of fields including psychology, anthropology, criminology and forensic science.
DCS Senior Inspector Ada Ling and Sergeant Lee Chin-fung, better known as Wind, work together and crack many murder cases. Their relationship goes from good friends 'brothers' to a pair of lovers.
With a backbone of 12 cases, the forensic scientists, forensic doctors and the police all work together to accommodate each other to solve these cases. The perspective in this third installment is much wider than the previous two seasons with a legal standpoint in addition to the forensics.

Production

A costume fitting press conference was held on 3 January 2011. Filming started on 28 January 2011 and the blessing ceremony was held on 24 February 2011. Charmaine Sheh was originally set to be the lead actress, however after suffering injuries slipping on a patch of ice in Shanghai, she was forced to withdraw from the series. She was replaced by Maggie Cheung Ho-yee.

Cast and characters

Main characters

Wayne Lai as Dr. Jack Po, a senior chemist and laboratory supervisor of the Forensic Science Division. He formerly worked in the Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau as a forensic firearms analyst.
Maggie Cheung Ho-yee as Dr. Mandy Chung, a senior forensic pathologist from the Forensic Pathology Division.
Kate Tsui as Ada Ling, a Senior Inspector of Police from the Kowloon West District Crime Squad.
Ron Ng as Lee Chin-fung, a Sergeant from the Kowloon West District Crime Squad.

Notable characters

Aimee Chan as Angel Chiang, a forensic technician under the Forensic Science Division. She previously worked in the United States as a crime scene investigator.
Edwin Siu as Ken Ho, a forensic technician under the Forensic Science Division.
Nancy Wu as Eva Chow, an ambitious barrister and Pro Sir's wife.
Ruco Chan as Jim Fong, a clinical psychologist who specialises in criminal psychology. Chan appeared in a limited number of episodes.

Recurring characters

Ram Chiang as Paul Yau, the senior scientific evidence officer from the Forensic Science Division.
Yuen Wah as Po Shun-hing, Pro Sir's father.
Chow Chung as Chung Pok-sze, Mandy's grandfather.
Mary Hon as Cheung Fung-ping, Ada's mother.
Jim Tang as Lam Hong-chan, an officer from the Kowloon West District Crime Squad.
Sammy Sum as Lai Ming-wai, an officer from the Kowloon West District Crime Squad.
Otto Chan as Wu Sin-hang, an officer from the Kowloon West District Crime Squad.
Jess Sum as Lee Ka-lo, an officer from the Kowloon West District Crime Squad.
Geoffrey Wong as Jason Ko, the Chief Inspector of Police from the Kowloon West District Crime Squad.
Ronald Law as Sunny Suen, a probationary forensic pathologist who is mentored by Mandy.
Yeung Chiu-hoi as Gary Leung, a forensic technician from the Forensic Science department.
Brian Tse as Lawrence Yuen, a forensic technician from the Forensic Science department.
Stanley Cheung as Eric Lau, a forensic technician from the Forensic Science department.
Aurora Li as Rosie Wong, a forensic technician from the Forensic Science department.
Moon Chan as Po Ka-man, Pro Sir and Eva's daughter.
Brian Chu as Simon Yau, Paul's son.

Viewership ratings

Forensic Heroes III was the most watched TVB drama of 2011. The following is a table that includes a list of the total ratings points based on television viewership. "Viewers in millions" refers to the number of people, derived from TVB Jade ratings, in Hong Kong who watched the episode live. The peak number of viewers are in brackets.

#	Week	Episode	Avg. points	Viewers in millions	Ref.
1	10 October 2011	1	34	2.17
1	10 — 14 October 2011	1 — 5	31	1.98
2	17 — 21 October 2011	6 — 10	31	1.98
3	24 — 27 October 2011	11 — 14	32	2.04
4	1 — 4 November 2011	15 — 18	33	2.10
5	7 — 11 November 2011	19 — 23	33	2.10
6	14 — 18 November 2011	24 — 28	33	2.10
7	20 November 2011	29 — 30	40	2.55

''Forensic Heroes III'' and the CSI effect in Hong Kong

In 2014, Cora Y.T. Hui and Professor T. Wing Lo of the City University of Hong Kong conducted a study to determine if the "CSI effect" was taking place in Hong Kong due to the popularity of Forensic Heroes III. They believed that since the Forensic Heroes series was one of the few ways Hong Kong citizens were exposed to forensic science, it would have a large influence on participant's legal-decision making. A questionnaire was given to 528 Hong Kong citizens residing in Hong Kong for seven or more years and all 18 and over. The results showed that participants who regularly viewed shows like Forensic Heroes III were more likely to expect scientific evidence in a case than non viewers. They were also less uncertain about whether or not that evidence should be presented. Despite the effects of the media on participants' perception of legal evidence, it did not affect their overall legal-decision making. Therefore, Hui and Lo's study suggests that the CSI effect is not present in Hong Kong.

Accolades

45th TVB Anniversary Awards 2011

Nominated: Best Drama
Nominated: Best Actor Top 5
Nominated: Best Actress Top 5
Nominated: My Favourite Male Character Top 5
Nominated: My Favourite Female Character Top 5
Nominated: My Favourite Female Character Top 5
Nominated: Best Supporting Actor Top 5
Nominated: Best Supporting Actress Top 5
Nominated: Most Improved Female Artiste