Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang says successfully apprehending and prosecuting criminals through effective forensic services will aid in reducing criminality across the island.
He made the remark while addressing attendees at the Opening Ceremony for the Caribbean Association of Forensic Sciences (CAFS) Conference held at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston today (June 10).
The Security Minister stated that through the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine (IFSLM) “the Government is committed to ensuring we provide strong effective forensic science services to support the criminal justice system”.
He explained, “without evidence of quality, without admissible evidence, criminal cases cannot proceed and this is what the forensic sciences provide.”
As the IFSLM undergoes major technological and infrastructural upgrades, one of the most groundbreaking developments of the Institute has been the establishment of Jamaica's first National DNA Database.
This provides law enforcement agencies with timely and accurate forensic results, expediting the crime-solving process.
Minister Chang noted that later this year the Forensic Pathology Autopsy Suite will be officially opened and the forensics field would have one of the finest institutes in the Caribbean.
He emphasised that the Government has “collaborated with colleagues locally and across the Caribbean to develop a pool of individuals across the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and other law enforcement agencies” to get the Suite ready and to satisfy the demands of the criminal justice system.
“As the criminal networks change their operation we will have to advance our own quality of service to ensure we can convict and remove the perpetrators of crime in our society,” Minister Chang highlighted.
With the convening of the CAFS Conference this week, forensic experts across the region will explore the latest advancements in forensic science and crime-fighting technologies. The goal is to improve evidence collection and analysis, enhance investigative procedures, and promote collaboration between forensic experts and technology developers.
Through a collaborative effort, the Government continues to build out the IFSLM to become a central database for everything that affects the criminal justice system in Jamaica and across the region.
Minister Chang shared with the attendees that “we can work together as a region to build out a strong history and legacy of quality forensic services”.
He explained, “we have to find a way to cooperate and build out forensic services, train the requisite personnel so that we can in fact meet the demands and provide quality service to the criminal justice system”.
The CAFS Conference runs from June 10 to 12 and engages judiciary members, crime scene examiners, police homicide and criminal investigators, and professionals from all relevant fields of forensics and medico-legal practice.
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