Guyana’s Forensic Lab to lead Caribbean in testing with new $86M microscope

After acquiring the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) is now said to be leading forensic testing in the Caribbean region, with Guyana being the first country to acquire the high-tech, German-branded equipment.

The lab, at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, will offer enhanced forensic capabilities enabled by this advanced piece of equipment, and authorities are especially looking forward to using it to help reduce the backlog in gunshot residue cases.

At an unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, the $86 million equipment was described as having a long lifespan – in excess of 30 years. It can be found in every region of the world, and allows for faster processing of gunshot residue cases.

Five forensic experts are being trained to operate the instrument that is said to be badly needed in view of the significant increases in seized firearms and firearm offenses in the country.

In fact, roughly 200 firearms were seized in 2024 by just the Guyana Police Force and Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU), which Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Andre Ally said is significant owing to the country’s small population.

SEM, which has the capacity to run on a 24-hour basis, analyzing 19 samples at a time, will help authorities to properly investigate and confirm evidence that firearms were used at certain crime scenes, Ally shared.

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said the arrival of this instrument is a significant acquisition in relation to science and research for Guyana.

“You know the problem they still have now in Trinidad and in Jamaica and the Bahamas. We really don’t want to get to that point and so the faster we get to those who are committing crimes … we’ll be in a better position,” Benn said.

He suggested the use of the instrument should not be limited to forensics, but urged that it be optimised for resolving other issues.