Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has confirmed that the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory will benefit from the investment of close to US$1 million for upgrades that will enable it to conduct DNA testing.
“As the laboratory strives towards the achievement of ISO certification and accreditation in 2018, the Citizens Security [Strengthening Programme] is going to invest close to US$1 million to upgrade the laboratory’s infrastructure and equip the laboratory to conduct DNA testing,” Ramjattan said during his contribution to the debate of the 2018 national budget last Thursday.
Ramjattan pointed out that the government has had a number of problems with the lab. “Initially it was only for trace evidence testing, chemistry testing, toxicology, and serology but there was a talk that it would be for DNA. It was not made structurally, and the ventilation… and also security wise for DNA testing,” he said as a government member blurted out “they [the PPP/C] never wanted DNA testing.”
