– Rohee highlights importance on site visit
MINISTER of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, on Monday afternoon, visited the Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown location where the Police Forensic Laboratory is to be located in the vicinity of the University of Guyana (UG). After a tour of the place, where works are ongoing, he told reporters that he was very impressed with what has been done, so far, both internally and externally as it relates to the outlook of the building.
Rohee gave the undertaking good marks, although such things as tiling, painting, electrical installation and air-conditioning are yet to be completed, but which are anticipated to be finished in three months time.
He remarked that the facility is very spacious inside and, without a doubt, will accommodate all the needs of the staff who will utilise it.
The Minister said efforts are being made to procure equipment to complement those that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) already has in use at Eve Leary.
Rohee disclosed that some will be procured internationally but, simultaneously, they are looking at increasing staffing resources by engaging UG students in a working relationship at the laboratory.
He said the possibility of international cooperation is also being explored in respect to the needs there.
Rohee explained that there are some slight delays in completion of the construction although there has been an extension of the time given by the contractors and there is not much deviation in the structure itself but they are paying attention to the outlay, fencing, parking area and landscaping.
He said the budget for the job remains the same $449M and, during discussions, he was pleased with the outlined security, including the installation of lights, cameras and fence, which will be done according to specifications.

DEPENDABLITY
Questioned about the dependability on foreign forensic laboratories for DNA testing, he said the issue was raised, during a recent discussion with President Donald Ramotar and the possibility of Guyana doing it locally is being looked at, although when the laboratory was first conceived, they did not envision doing such tests there.
Rohee acknowledged, however, that it is one of the challenges they are facing and some people will be brought from Barbados to assist with respect to DNA testing being done in this country.
He admitted that Guyana would have to rely on overseas assistance, for now, where DNA is concerned, until it can be done.
“But, hopefully, we would not have many such cases,” Rohee said.
As for capacity building within the local staff, he said the laboratory will be staffed by ranks from the GPF existing facility, among them UG students, and arrangements will be made with others from overseas, who may wish to apply with the necessary qualifications.
“This will be an ongoing process. As we move along, we will recognise that scientific inputs are required. From a personal point of view, therefore, we will have to try our best to resolve these staffing issues,” Rohee said.
Earlier, at the site, the Minister learnt that some building materials were shipped in from Trinidad and he explained that they were specifically ordered by the contractors, and these include cement blocks with stones embedded.
Also in the visiting party on Monday was Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law Enforcement) Seelall Persaud, who, in responding to questions posed by the media, said the laboratory will mean a whole lot to Guyana and police work.
He said, with it becoming available, the police would not have to rely on overseas DNA tests, processes which take up to four months.
Persaud said the local laboratory will provide the kind of support in the initial stages of investigations and, in today’s world, there are two major issues, one being the development of technology and, secondly, the reliability of eyewitness testimony.
He said information technology (IT) evidence around the world has prompted the awareness of judges and magistrates, to these technologies, which, they would want to have to support the eyewitnesses.
Persaud also told reporters that, in terms of capacity building, for the forensic laboratory: “We have staff here but they do not know if the skills base is enough but are looking at a management model to be developed with assistance from their overseas counterparts.”