ANALYSTS attached to the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) will now be allowed to handle, test and examine firearms and ammunition in accordance with their duties, without having to be holders of firearm licences.

This was made possible with the passage of the Firearms Amendment Bill which was unanimously passed in the National Assembly on Monday, as presented by Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn.

“We now have forensic laboratories for some time and the issue is that we need to make sure that each person along the way who handles and examines and tests firearms or ammunition as part of investigation are appropriately covered under the legislation,” Benn said in his opening arguments.

He told the House that the amended law also prevents hiccups at the level of the court, since examining firearms would be within the remit of forensic analysts tasked with producing reports on their ballistic findings.

More specifically, Minister Benn said that the amendments would eliminate any concerns that weapons in evidence were handled by persons not covered under the firearms act. Such cases, the minister said, could affect outcomes of firearms-related cases.

The minister’s sentiments were supported by his colleague, government parliamentarian and attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin, who emphasised the importance of ensuring that the country’s laws are regularly updated, in keeping with technological and other advancements in the world.
He made it clear that the forensic analysts would only be covered under the law, once they are acting in accordance with their duties. “It’s not to take it home, it is not to walk around with it, it is to do their job,” Datadin posited.

He reminded that previously, the examination of firearms and ammunition as evidence was done by members of the Guyana Police Force’s ballistics and firearms department, who were essentially entitled to hold such weapons.

The Member of Parliament believes that the amendment to the firearms legislation would even go a far way in improving the quality of work done by the analysts, since they would be able to hold, and conduct closer examination of the weapons in their possession.

Also successfully amended was the Evidence Act, which now paves the way for reports from a GFSL evidence officer as being admissible in a Court of Law, and to make the lab’s certificates and forms receivable by the courts.

Added to that, the amended law has seen ‘hair’ being added to the list of objects that can be examined by an analyst. The altered law also seeks to strengthen the chain of custody for evidence.

As debate on the Evidence Amendment Bill wrapped up, Opposition Member of Parliament, Karen Cummings signalled the support of the opposing side. The passed amendments will now have to be assented to by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, before it can be considered a substantive component of the law.