India’s forensic experts to strengthen GPF’s capabilities

As the Government of Guyana works assiduously to improve the investigative capabilities of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stakeholders are gearing up to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to send more forensic experts.
In a bid to improve the investigative capabilities of the GPF, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn during the Ministry’s End-of-Year press conference on Monday revealed that last year the Ministry would have procured several pieces of modern tech for the police force.
In fact, at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) Minister Benn revealed that the facility is now equipped with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) the first of its kind to be acquired.
“What we want to pay attention to is the improvements in forensic capability, both at the police force itself and in relation to the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, I think they’re represented here. They’ve just got a new scanning electron microscope and I think at some point we should invite the press just now to take a look at the new equipment being installed there at great expense, but there’s a significant increase in forensic capability with modern equipment.”
An SEM is a scientific instrument that uses a beam of electrons to create images of a sample’s surface. SEMs are used in many fields, including materials science, forensics, and pharmaceuticals. Scanning electron microscopy is a highly versatile technique used to obtain high-resolution images and detailed surface information of samples. The resolution of SEM instruments can range from < 1 nanometre up to several nanometres.
Moreover, in a move to increase the amount of skilled personnel with the Police force, Minister Benn highlighted that the GPF will soon sign an MoU with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) of India to import forensic experts.
“We are signing up an MOU with the National Forensic Sciences University of India to bring in more forensic experts and to aid in the process of clearing up crime events and doing so in a way which will stand the test in our courts.”
Established in 2009 as the Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU), and later elevated to the NFSU with the status of an Institution of National Importance, it is the world’s first and only university dedicated to forensic sciences, behavioural sciences, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and allied disciplines.
It was established by the Government of India through Act of 2020 (32 of 2020) with the objective of fulfilling the acute shortage against the increasing demand for forensic experts in the country and around the world.
NFSU is recognised worldwide as a leader in the field of research and education in forensic sciences and allied sciences.
Additionally, Benn noted that the GPF is actively recruiting and training new ranks.
“The Guyana Police Force is now just about at peak in terms of its man and strength. New recruits are being trained to finally achieve the number in practice and we are happy that the diversity and representation of communities which we speak of is being gradually and significantly improved at this point in time.”
Meanwhile, in the 2024 budget the GPF received a whopping $30.3 billion, which was geared at enhancing its capabilities while also investing in vital infrastructure for the overarching development of the GPF.