Govt. building forensic capacity to process evidence locally – Walrond

(Kaieteur News) – The Government of Guyana is building the capacity of the country’s forensic laboratory to process evidence locally, including ballistics and toxicology samples that are currently sent overseas for analysis, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond has disclosed.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Starting Point Podcast, Walrond said strengthening local forensic capabilities would reduce the need to send samples abroad, a process she noted could be problematic. “…our samples don’t have to be sent abroad, which can be problematic. So, to be able to do that processing right here, whether it’s ballistics and toxicology reports and have them. So, we’re building up the capacity of our lab to be able to do that,” the Minister said.

Walrond also disclosed that significant financial resources are being spent on training 500 police officers in evidence processing, with the aim of strengthening the handling and preservation of evidence through the conclusion of trials.