U.S. forensic experts back Guyana lab’s push for global accreditation

The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), hosted a team of forensic science experts from the U.S.-based Strategic Capacity Group (SCG) from July 14-18.  The SCG team conducted a technical evaluation and assessment of the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) as it pursues International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) forensic accreditations.

During the week, the U.S. Embassy and SCG experts met with the GFSL and engaged key criminal justice stakeholders including the Judiciary, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Guyana Police Force Criminal Investigations Department, Police Prosecutors, Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation Sexual Assault and Pathology Departments, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, Pan American Development Foundation, among others.

This visit marks a key step in a new U.S. initiative with the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, made possible with funding under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, to strengthen GFSL’s efforts to collect, process, and produce more timely, reliable, and admissible forensic evidence, including DNA evidence, to achieve more successful criminal investigations and prosecutions.  Notably, SCG will help develop GFSL’s narcotics and synthetic drug detection, safe-handling, and evidence preservation capabilities and enhance cooperation with the U.S.-supported Regional Forensic Science Center of Excellence in Saint Lucia as well as forensic labs in the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas.

Enhanced forensics collaboration is a key pillar of growing U.S.-Guyana security cooperation following U.S. Secretary of State Rubio’s recent visit to Georgetown. On March 27, 2025, U.S. Secretary Rubio and Guyanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Todd signed a non-binding MOU to deepen security cooperation and address regional challenges, including countering narcotics trafficking, disrupting transnational criminal organizations, and supporting Guyana’s regional security leadership.

“I’m grateful for INL and SCG’s expertise and the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory’s strong commitment to forensic excellence,” U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot said.  “The United States stands firm in our support for Guyana to reduce criminality and prosecute transnational criminals who seek to destabilize our countries and communities.  This new INL initiative marks an exciting milestone for the United States and Guyana under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and the recently signed U.S.-Guyana Security Cooperation MOU.”

Commenced in 2010, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative is a U.S.-Caribbean security partnership with Guyana and 12 other participating countries to counter narcotics trafficking, disrupt organized crime, and promote regional security cooperation.