ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN STATES

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ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN STATES

• First Meeting of Forensic Specialists
• of the Americas

OAS Headquarters, Washington DC
September 24 25, 2009
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Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science
Centre Ministry of National Security 17 Barbados
Road, Federation Park Port of Spain Trinidad and
Tobago
Arlette Lewis Director Trinidad and Tobago
Forensic Science Centre Ministry of National
Security
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• National agency responsible for the provision of
  forensic pathology and forensic science services
  in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and
  Tobago
• Fully funded by the GORTT
• Major clients law enforcement agencies
• Private cases at a nominal fee account for lt 0.5
  of casework submissions
• Civilian staff ( 65 of which 24 are experts)

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Two Subdivisions

• Forensic Pathology
• Forensic Science

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Forensic Pathology Subdivision

• Responsible for performing post mortems in all
  cases of unnatural deaths in Trinidad and Tobago

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Forensic Science Subdivision

• Five sections providing scientific services
• in the disciplines of-
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Document Examination
• Firearms Toolmark Examination
• Toxicology

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Biology

• DNA profiling replaced the conventional serology
  blood grouping methods for characterization of
  body fluids and stains in September 2008
• PCR-STR/ Identifiler
• Databases not yet established

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Chemistry

• Examination and analysis of Seized Drugs (GC/FID
  and FTIR)

• Investigation of suspected cases of Arson fire
• scene examination and analysis of debris
• (Tenax extraction GC/FID)

• Examination of Stolen Vehicles (serial number
• restoration and examination of paint layer
  structure)

• Examination and identification of explosives
• (GC/ECD), glass (GRIM 3) and miscellaneous
• substances

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Document Examination

• Examination of Handwriting and Typewriting (VSC
  4C)

• Determination of Erasures and Alterations
• (ESDA 2)

• Examination of Counterfeit Currency

• Identification and Comparison of Inks
• (Foram 685-2)

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Firearms and Toolmark Examination

• Determination of calibre of firearms and
  ammunition
• Determination of firearm from which ammunition
  was discharged
• Determination of type of firearm used
• Examination of toolmarks

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• Correlation of shooting incidents using the
  Integrated Ballistics Identification System
  (IBIS). 5,731 entries and 436 confirmed hits to
  date

• Collection of test fires and entry of ballistics
  data from 14,443 weapons on a legal firearms
  database (weapons from law enforcement, private
  agencies and individual FUL holders)

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Toxicology

• Screening and confirmation of drugs and poisons
  in body fluids taken at post mortems (Viva E,
  solid phase extraction UV-Vis, GC/NPD and GC/MS)

• Blood alcohol determinations
• (Headspace GC/FID)

• Workplace drug testing
• (Viva E and GC/MS)

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ACCREDITATION

• Legal requirement for DNA services to be
  accredited by September 2010
• All staff sensitized on process
• Key laboratory personnel trained in
  Documentation, Auditing and Estimation of
  Uncertainty of Measurement
• Revision of existing SOPs and Quality System
  documents in progress

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• Purchase of traceable standards, validation of
  methods and calibration of equipment in progress
• Subscribes to CTS proficiency tests (no tests
  available for drugs and poisons in biological
  fluids)
• Gap Analysis being conducted at present in the
  Biology and Toxicology Sections

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Main Challenges

• Acquisition of supplies and equipment on a
  timely basis from foreign sources
• Unavailability of local pool of trained personnel
  for recruitment
• Training of staff

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Thank You