The UnitedPAC calls on Minister of National Security Victor LaCorbiniere to provide information about the status of the forensic lab, which has been closed for an extended period of time. They note that while a recent donation of a crime scene kit was helpful, the police still need the lab to properly examine collected evidence. The PAC asks the Minister to disclose the costs of maintaining the unused lab facility and equipment, paying idle staff salaries, conducting an audit and investigation of the lab, and sending evidence overseas for analysis. They want to know the reopening timeline and future staff plans if a private company takes over lab operations. UnitedPAC believes these are important questions that need answering.

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January 20, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITEDPAC CALLS ON LACORBINIERE TO QUIT ALL THE TALK
AND DELIVER ON FORENSIC LAB
CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – Wednesday, January 20, 2016 – On Monday 18th January 2016
Crime Chief Milton Desir received a donation of a crime scene forensic kit from Dr.
Maurice Aboud of Caribbean Forensic Services of Trinidad & Tobago. The police indicated
that this vital tool would enhance their crime scene capability.
Whilst the kit will serve crime scene officers in their work, we must recognize and not lose
sight of the bigger picture. The kit will be vital but only a small part of what will be
required for proper police investigations. They will need the benefit of the forensic lab to
examine the exhibits they would have collected.
No one can deny that crime affects all of us and the police must be well equipped if they
are to do their job properly. Since the lab is very important, every day of its closure will
affect police investigations and bring additional expense to the treasury and by extension
taxpayers.
As a result we must all be concerned to know the following:
• The status and cost to the country of the audit supposed to have been conducted
into the lab.
• The state of the criminal investigation launched into the running of the lab.
• The costs to the taxpayers of maintaining the facility even whilst it is closed and
non-functional.
• The cost to the taxpayers where salaries are still being paid to staff during the
period of closure.
Telephone:
Fax:
Email: unitepacstlucia@gmail.com

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• The state of all the expensive equipment at the lab as to its safe protection and
maintenance whilst not in use.
While we agree that in the interest of justice exhibits may have to be sent overseas, will
we know the total costs to taxpayers for such and how long it will take for results to be
obtained? In what form and in what time frame will the lab reopen and what will be the
future of the staff if a private enterprise takes over operations?
These are pertinent questions that need answering and we are calling on the national
security minister Victor LaCorbiniere to share some light on the current status of the
forensic lab.