Once again, in the wake of sensitive criminal investigations, or concerns about same, the Government has called upon the Regional Security System (RSS) to assist our local Guyana Police Force to “assess” their efforts. The first time was in September 2020 with the Henry brothers’ and Haresh Singh’s murders in West Berbice and presently and now, with the fallout from the Fagundes murder investigation from March 2021. According to the DPI, “The RSS is an international agreement for the defence and security of the eastern Caribbean region with future expansion planned with South America. It sets out to preserve the peace and stability of the region by delivering world-class, professional, effective and efficient services through cooperative engagement with partner nations, the security sector and the peoples of the region.”
It was established in the 1980’s and its member states are Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and Barbados with headquarters in Barbados. It is not well known that Guyana was not a member of the RSS, but last March, at the 33rd inter-sessional meeting of CARICOM heads, President Irfan Ali signed the protocol along with other RSS member states, present. Guyana will officially join the RSS following the signature of the remaining Heads of member states to the protocol.
As such, it is incumbent for the Government of Guyana, and the Ministry of Home Affairs to be reminded of its obligations in its own anti-crime efforts in conjunction with the rest of CariCom to operationalise the “CariCom Crime and Security Strategy” adopted at the 24th inter-sessional meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government on 18-8 Feb 2013 in Haiti. The Strategy augments the RSS’ work, which is not investigative per se. While there were fourteen strategic goals adumbrated, Goal #7, to “Strengthen the Effectiveness of Criminal Investigation through Modern Technologies and Scientific Techniques”, is most relevant right now. Where do Caricom and Guyana stand on achieving these objectives?? Which are to:
1: “put the best possible tools in the hands of its law enforcement community so they can identify, apprehend, and prosecute criminals swiftly and effectively. 2: Implement “Mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of criminal investigation should include the effective use of modern technologies and scientific techniques. The use of forensic tools, including Deoxyribonucleic (DNA) testing, in conjunction with proper crime scene management, complements traditional crime solving methods while greatly increasing the rate of crime detection and enhancing the success of criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Strategic Lines of Action
i. CARICOM will establish a CARICOM Forensic Task Force to develop policies and programmes, raise awareness and implement programmes for the provision of forensic services to all Member States with particular attention to the needs of countries that have limited or no forensic capabilities, and the provision of services that are currently inadequate or unavailable within the Region;
ii. Member States must be able to guarantee the credibility of crime scene management as inappropriate procedures can result in the contamination or exclusion of evidence. The establishment of minimum standard operational procedures for crime scene investigators to guide and govern the processing, investigation, and management of crime scenes and the conduct of experts should be reflected in written protocols;
iii. Improved crime scene management is vital for the successful prosecution of crimes. Training in crime scene management is needed for all ranks. The first responders are usually local officers who are not trained in crime scene management and can therefore contaminate the evidence long before crime scene specialists can get there;
iv. CARICOM will take steps to heighten awareness and the sensitivity of the judiciary with regard to the use of forensic science within the criminal justice system, and in particular to ensure familiarity with technical aspects of forensic evidence and testimony will be pursued.
v. CARICOM will establish a CARICOM registry of forensic experts that can be accessed by all Member States. The Community will take steps to familiarise stakeholders with the full range of available forensic services and address gaps in knowledge;
