Cabinet has approved recommendations from the Ministry of National Security for the use of DNA evidence in crime-fighting.
This is in a major boost to the country's crime fighting capability.
The Police High Command has repeatedly complained that the Jamaica Constabulary Force is being hampered in its fight against crime without the use of DNA evidence.
In making the announcement, Daryl Vaz, the Minister with Responsibility for Information, said approval has also been given by the Chief Parliamentary Council to include the recommendations in the preparation of legislation related to the use of DNA evidence.
Mr. Vaz outlined the proposals at Wednesday’s [September 14] edition of the weekly Post Cabinet press briefing.
The proposal includes "replacing dental impression with buccal swabs when defining intimate samples, destruction and retention of samples, the designation of the Director of Forensic Science Laboratory as a custodian of the National DNA Database and the introduction of a National DNA Database system," Mr. Vaz said.
The minister stated that in addition to this, approval has been given for an assessment to be done on the operations of the forensic laboratories.
"Cabinet also gave approval for the retention of an independent oversight tribunal to review the performance of the Forensic Science Laboratory both in terms of biological testing and matching and its quality control and importantly, security procedures," Mr. Vaz said.
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