The forensic laboratory takes Guyana one step further in solving crimes

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor,
The past decade has seen great advances in a powerful criminal justice tool: deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. DNA can be used to identify criminals with incredible accuracy when biological evidence exists. By the same token, DNA can be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons mistakenly accused or convicted of crimes. In all, DNA technology is increasingly vital to ensuring accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system.
In 1999, New York authorities linked a man through DNA evidence to at least 22 sexual assaults and robberies that had terrorised the city. In 2002, authorities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Fort Collins, Colorado used DNA evidence to link and solve a series of crimes, including rapes and a murder, perpetrated by the same individual.
In the 2001 “Green River” killings, DNA evidence provided a major breakthrough in a series of crimes that had remained unsolved for years despite a large law enforcement taskforce and a US$ 15 million investigation.
Our forensic laboratory is very necessary and a team from Barbados has been contracted to install the equipment to facilitate the smooth running of the laboratory in Guyana. If all goes well, then operation can begin by year-end.
This has huge implications for crime-fighting in Guyana. It will definitely mean that potential criminals will think long and hard before going on any kind of illegal activity. Even though a lot of time has elapsed since the birth of this forensic institution, it is going to pay off.
Also, the time in preparing for its opening has been well used. According to the Home Affairs Ministry, it has already hired staff members and they will soon sign their contracts for employment.
I trust that rape cases will soon be fast tracked. In recent times, too many people got off because of a lack of DNA evidence. The same principle goes for murder. I applaud this great leap in our country. Now all that is needed is professionalism in the exercising of duties and maintaining of the facilities.
Yours sincerely,
Hazel Harris

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