ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN STATES

First Meeting of Forensic Specialists

of the Americas

September 24 – 25, 2009

OAS Headquarters, Washington DC

Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science CentreMinistry of National Security

17 Barbados Road, Federation ParkPort of Spain

Trinidad and Tobago

Arlette LewisDirectorTrinidad and Tobago Forensic Science CentreMinistry of National Security

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

< 0.5% of casework submissions Civilian staff (~ 65 of which 24 are experts)

Two Subdivisions

Forensic Pathology

Forensic Science

Forensic Pathology Subdivision

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

Forensic Science Subdivision

Five sections providing scientific servicesin the disciplines of:-

BiologyChemistryDocument ExaminationFirearms & Toolmark ExaminationToxicology

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

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

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

Thank You