These instruments were granted to Saint Lucia by the Taiwanese Government, as part of the two governments’ police and intelligence-sharing agreement. This equipment comes amidst increased gun-related crimes and homicides on-island. The now internationally-certified Forensic Lab will be able to interpret crime scenes and solve crimes.

Present at the handover ceremony was Police Commissioner, Crusita Descartes-Pelius, who underscored the need for comprehensive crime scene analysis. To that end, she says, the assistance from the Taiwanese is welcome. “Let me encourage our officers to continue working hard to make Saint Lucia a better place - especially as it relates to the funding to assist with [our] forensic lab. [It will assist us with] tracing firearms. It is very vital at this time. Very often, criminals think that they can commit crimes with impunity and escape with this. We are determined to put whatever we receive today to good use and to hold [criminals] accountable for [their] actions,” she said.

Prime Minister, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the police in their crime-fighting efforts. “We, as a government, have concentrated our efforts on crime abatement. This is the most in the history of Saint Lucia…We will continue to do that,” the Prime Minister stated.

The Saint Lucia Forensic Laboratory has recently achieved international recognition by obtaining a quality and standards certification for its services. This accomplishment elevates the lab to the status of a Centre of Excellence for Forensic Science in the Caribbean.