The Committee of Supply this afternoon approved $50.5M for the provision of additional resources to support the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, specifically for the acquisition of a DNA analysis workflow system. This system is expected to enhance Guyana’s DNA testing capability and assist in criminal investigations.
The current machine, which was procured in 2017 to the tune of $84M under the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government, came offline earlier this year after it failed to generate accurate results. This has resulted in a backlog of more than 20 cases under probe by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
According to Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, the ministry was compelled to replace the old DNA analysis system to clear the backlog. This new system is expected to be fully implemented in a few months.
“We expect that within five or six months, once it’s properly up and running, we would be on top of the situation in respect of having proper sampling [and] proper testing,” he said.
Additionally, five DNA Analysts will soon be certified to operate the new DNA testing machine. Additional persons are expected to be trained in DNA analysis in an effort to reduce the backlog.
