Forensic lab acquires new equipment to fast track gunshot residue testing and other forensic evidence

Forensic lab acquires new equipment to fast track gunshot residue testing and other forensic evidence

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn today commissioned an $86M Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory. 

The equipment is expected to significantly boost the Forensic Lab’s analytical capability, and would fast track the processing of samples, including gunshot residue. 

At the commissioning ceremony at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, Minister Benn said the state-of-the-art equipment will enable the Forensic Lab to better analyze pieces of evidence and samples from crime scenes.

“We want to advise persons who are involved, and committing crimes, some of them repeatedly, they are not always being caught when they commit some of these crimes that we will get to them. We will get to you and we will put you in the proper place,” Minister Benn said. 

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Andre Ally said the new equipment will help the Forensic Lab to reduce the backlog of examinations required, particularly in the case of gunshot residues.

It was explained that while the Forensic Lab currently has another Scanning Electron Microscope, it has been faced with some challenges resulting in a backlog.

It was pointed out that in 2024 alone more than 180 firearms were seized, adding to the backlog.

“Last year between the Guyana Police Force and CANU, we have seized more than 200 firearms between those two agencies alone…and it is critical now for us to properly investigate and properly identify evidence and confirm evidence that firearms were used at certain crime scenes,” the Permanent Secretary said.

He said with increased capacity, the Forensic Lab would work to reduce the backlog of cases in relation to gunshot residue, and would prioritize cases as they come in. 

“It has the capacity to run 24/7 and we can analyze samples as well. So, we can leave samples running and you can analyze as many as 19 samples at once. So, this now gives us the opportunity to do a lot more testing of the samples that we currently have. So, we will work to clear up that backlog and ensure that we lend support to crime fighting and the justice system,” Ally said. 

Deputy Director of the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, Charis Griffith said the Zeiss Scanning Electron Microscope can carry out a number of applications across the science field including -fibers, ballistics, explosives, documents, toxicology, entomology, soil, mineral analysis, serial number restoration, and of course gunshot residue analysis.

“The GFSL’s role in analyzing gunshot residue is key in supporting the criminal justice system, as the courts rely on our expert testimony and quality results to aid in those rulings. Also, as the premier forensic laboratory in Guyana we will not only be able to provide a faster processing rate of gunshot residue cases, we would also be able to support/develop other forensic sectors particularly those of trace evidence related crimes. Those evidence that are of small magnitude but make a big impact to a case,” Griffith said. 

Five forensic experts are currently being trained to operate the instrument. Once training is complete, the microscope will be put into operation.

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