By Nakasia Logan, January 15, 2025
The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) has significantly boosted its forensic capabilities with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), valued at over $86 million.
This cutting-edge equipment will help address the lab’s backlog of gunshot residue tests and enhance its overall evidence processing capacity.
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn expressed his confidence in the SEM’s potential to transform the laboratory’s operations.
He highlighted the challenges faced in processing gunshot residue tests, which led to a significant backlog.
With this new acquisition, the lab is expected to eliminate delays and enhance its ability to manage investigations more efficiently.
Assistant Superintendent Ray Mercurius, Head of the Guyana Police Force Crime Lab, also emphasized the importance of the SEM in criminal investigations.
He stated that the new technology would be pivotal in linking suspects to crime scenes through forensic evidence, providing timely and accurate results that will strengthen the investigative process.
The SEM is capable of analyzing up to 19 samples simultaneously and operates continuously, helping the lab clear backlogs while focusing on new cases.
The equipment was sourced from ZEISS, a renowned German manufacturer of optical systems and optoelectronics.
This acquisition is part of a broader strategy to improve forensic science in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
In addition to the SEM, the GFSL has also acquired a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry system and a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography unit to further enhance its analytical capabilities.
Minister Benn noted that the SEM is the first of its kind in the region, underscoring its unique contribution to scientific research and law enforcement efforts in the Caribbean.
The acquisition reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to advancing forensic science in Guyana and ensuring that the country remains at the forefront of technological advancements in criminal investigations.