DNA From Bones: Saint Lucia’s Forensic Lab Adds a New Tool for Investigators

Saint Lucia’s forensic laboratory can now analyse DNA from bones under its international accreditation, expanding the range of evidence it can examine to support criminal investigations and court proceedings.

The Saint Lucia Forensic Science Laboratory announced on Wednesday, November 4, that bone DNA analysis had been added to its accredited testing scope following a July assessment by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation. DNA recovered from bones can help investigators establish the identity of human remains.

The laboratory, which first earned international accreditation in July 2022, retained its ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation after an on-site review that also covered drug chemistry, body fluid identification, firearm serial number restoration and DNA analysis.

The announcement comes a day before the laboratory takes the regional stage at the 10th Annual Caribbean Medicolegal and Forensic Symposium, which runs from November 5 to 7 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The Saint Lucian delegation is scheduled to give four oral presentations, including one from its newly established Firearms and Toolmarks Unit. The unit includes Royal Saint Lucia Police Force officers assigned to the laboratory for specialist training.

The delegation will also share how the lab uses DNA analysis in sexual assault cases and what its Drug Chemistry Unit has learned from its casework. In a joint workshop with Trinidad and Tobago Court of Appeal Justice Mark Mohammed, the team will examine how forensic science is used in court.

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