Hinds calls forensic samples backlog ‘wholly undesirable’

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There was a backlog of Forensic Science Centre processing work, including 6,983 biological samples, 6,920 gun analyses, 100 toxicology samples and 97 narcotics samples, as of September 25.

The statistics were revealed by National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds yesterday, as he acknowledged this as a wholly “undesirable state of affairs” and unsatisfactory.

“We’re on the job to resolve this because we understand the critical role the FSC plays in the criminal justice system and there are many criminals to deal with in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

Hinds gave the information in the Senate after Opposition Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial asked about the backlog of samples awaiting processing as of September 25. She said backlogs will delay court cases involving samples, especially gun-related cases and those requiring biological evidence.

Hinds said in March 2018, the Biology section of the centre was temporarily closed due to health and safety issues, such as mould on the walls and ceiling and other infrastructural deficiencies.

However, the section still received samples from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. Operations recommenced on a phased basis in October 2021.

The toxicology samples requiring analysis include those for post mortems and blood from Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex and the Port-of-Spain General Hospital which were not completed due to the need for repairs to the Gas Chromatograph equipment. Those repairs are expected to be completed in two months.

The narcotics samples – which also need the GC equipment- are being manually extracted, Hinds said.

Before February 2021, the FSC had four scientific officers to process firearm cases. Some 21 police officers and five forensic analysts were later trained to alleviate the backlog.

Regarding the backlog, Hinds added, “In my personal view and as Minister, this state of affairs is wholly undesirable.”

He assured the Parliament and the country that he’s been paying regular attention to the situation with FSC experts.

He assured there is a programme to eliminate the backlogs and this, along with the new digitised processes in the future, will “deal with this untenable state of affairs which has accumulated over the years.”

Hinds also revealed that as of September 25, the Forensic Science Centre had 37 vacancies of permanent staffers and 18 vacant contract posts, with 26 people acting in the 37 posts.