…efforts underway to have DNA testing next year – Ramjattan
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan expressed his disappointment at the fact that the forensic laboratory located in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, is yet to have DNA testing. However, he noted that there are certain procedures that need to be put in place first before this service can be made available.
“We have to get it right first, and then we have to get the accreditation and certification. All of that will only come when we get 100 per cent fixed, not 99.9 per cent and we are working on that,” the Minister told to reporters on Saturday morning. According to Ramjattan, equipment for the DNA laboratory costs about US$1 million and this money has been provided for via the Ministry’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).
The forensic laboratory at Turkeyen
However, he noted that the sourcing of the relevant equipment will have to be done through a procurement process.
In the meantime, the Minister said that efforts are afoot to ensure that there is sufficient security in place to uphold integrity of exhibits as well as ensuring that the ventilation works. He added too that adequate training will have to be done for the personnel who will be conducting the analysis.
“I feel that this is going to take in the vicinity of about another six to seven months maximum, so indeed we are going to have it,” assured Ramjattan.
The Public Security Minister explained that when the laboratory was first conceptualised back in 2012, the design work for DNA testing facilities was not properly done. This, he added, resulted in a Barbadian expert as well as specialists from the United States concluding that the facility that was available at the forensic laboratory did not match the required standards to provide DNA testing and as such, reconstruction works had to be undertaken.
Over the years, the Guyana Police Force has had to resort to using overseas laboratories to conduct DNA testing for several high-profile cases, including the murders of Babita Sarjou; British teen Dominic Bernard; former Demerara Bank employee Sheema Mangar; owner of MFK Trading Mohamed F Khan, among others.
This is due to the fact that since the completion of the forensic lab back in 2014, the facility has yet to be outfited with the necessary resources to conduct basic DNA and gun residue testing which are internationally recognised.
In fact, back in April, then Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Wendell Blanhum has decried the lacking of the core service, saying that is a “sore” to the work of his department.
“…They lack the capability to do DNA testing so this is a sore problem, it’s a sore issue and we still have to rely on (overseas partners). Of recent, we have been engaging the Brazilian authorities,” the Crime Chief had stated.
Back in February, Government had approved some US$32,524 to honour outstanding payments to a Barbados Security Firm, IED, for the completion of works that will see the laboratory equipped to provide these services.
The firm was responsible for installing the security system at the laboratory by way of a contract in 2012 and providing consultation oversight in 2013, during phase one of the project, but this never materialised because of the outstanding payments owed by Government.
The firm will therefore be required to complete its work on the laboratory, along with completing the training of persons who are going to operate the facility. The technical and electrical issues that were discovered a while back will also be rectified as soon as the contractors return to work.
On the other hand, the Public Security Ministry last year commenced building the capacity of the forensic lab to prepare the facility for DNA and gun residue testing. Additionally, discussions were held for the procurement of rapid testing DNA and gun testing residue devices.
Improving the Guyana Police Force’s Forensic Laboratory’s effectiveness towards preventing and conducting criminal investigations is the second component of the CSSP. This component is being funded at a cost of US$5.5 million through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
