IT is nice to read that the Forensic Laboratory is scheduled to be completed by June 17. It was also interesting to know that 38 applicants will be interviewed for 21 positions.

  Not knowing what skills are required, one can only hope the Minister realises that first class equipment require FIRST CLASS technicians or there will be no first class results. Guyana must always seek to find at home or overseas whatever skills are needed to make any investment successful.

Other critical factors, in a successful operation, include dedication and work ethics. It goes without saying that unless the police have competent and ethical forensic investigating teams, a lab will not fulfil its proper function. Also, of concern in Guyana is how quickly forensic evidence is collected, properly transported and safeguarded.  Police departments are required to have secure, restricted and strictly monitored evidence storage facilities or missing or tainted evidence or questions regarding chain of custody will always be raised and hinder prosecution.
In summary, it is usually the human factor, more than scientific ones that affect good police work.  It is time to do better in both areas or there will be no meaningful progress in crime fighting.