US crime drama CSI is helping criminals to escape justice, a senior policeman in Malaysia has said.

"CSI and a few other series teach how to remove traces of crime," said Deputy Inspector General Musa Hassan. [...]

The police officer added the force was now faced with the challenge of how to remain "a step ahead of criminals" because of the success of the TV series in Malaysia.

But he conceded there was no proof as yet of criminals using a technique to destroy evidence detailed on the programme, and said improvements in the force's intelligence techniques would make it difficult to fool its officers.

The show, which follows the work of a team of forensic scientists, has been accused by experts of making expectations of success in police investigations too high.