Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 11, 2019 (RSCNPF): Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with responsibility for the Crime Directorate, Andre Mitchell, said that based on this year’s summation to date about 16 out of the 23 serious crime matters submitted for DNA analysis have been resolved while others are still being processed.
He made the disclosure at the recent opening ceremony for the Fingerprint Crime Scene Workshop. ACP Mitchell was quoting the information from a report submitted to him by the Director of Forensics, Latoya Lake-Marshall. Such an achievement, he said, cemented the need for continuous advancements in the techniques used by the Crime Scene Investigation Unit. The Assistant Commissioner made the point that crimes were not solved by detectives alone, but with the help of Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs).
“This rate could not have been achieved without the precise investigations and leads followed by detectives, and the precise and sterile collection of exhibits, links and matches submitted to the forensics laboratory. So the process starts with your collection and then our lab, and then the necessary referrals. So you have been doing a very good job…,” he commended.
He said that in the era of technology and technological advancements, forensics play a very pivotal role in crime solving.
“We know the constituents of forensics, whether it be DNA, ballistics or fingerprinting…almost invariably, every serious crime requires an input of forensics. Nowadays, at trials, the question is always asked, what have you done by way of forensics?…so we have to ensure that we cover all the basics. A lot of investment has been made in this area. We have the forensics lab which undergirds the whole process of what we do…our results or your contribution as CSI using the aforementioned equipment and facility has been tremendous…,” said ACP Mitchell.
He lauded the department for the good job they have been doing. He also encouraged them to continue learning and developing their skills to further equip them to fight crime in the age of technology. He went on to thank the government and its partners who continue to contribute significantly to modernising the Police’s approach to investigation and said, “today is another investment in the right direction.”
