The long-awaited new Forensic Science Centre, expected to be five times bigger than the current centre, is going to be built at Farm Road, St Joseph, courtesy a grant from the Chinese government at a cost of approximately $95 million (100 million Yuan).
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Chinese Ambassador Fang Qui yesterday signed the documents kick-starting the project expected to begin next year and to be completed in 18 months following the sod-turning.
They did not say when the project would commence.
The ceremony took place at the National Security Ministry, Level 20 Tower C, International Waterfront Complex, Port of Spain.
Present at yesterday’s ceremony was Police Commissioner Erla Christopher and director of the Forensic Science Centre Derrick Sankar.
Prior to signing, Hinds remarked that the current centre located at Federation Park off Long Circular, St James, had been outgrown and while improvements had been made, its investment in technology and additional personnel could not be made as the current centre was simply too small.
He said that the new centre is expected to comprise 55,000 square feet of usable space to house departments, freezers, labs and storage for exhibits, while the land can allow for a further expansion of the structure if necessary.
Hinds also said that the timing of the new centre coincides with the changes as a result of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) (Amendment) Bill 2023 which was proclaimed last week Tuesday.
He said that a much more efficient centre would ensure the timely deliverance of test results and exhibits which will coincide with a faster delivery of justice.
Hinds said that the current centre is over 40 years old, having been built in 1983.
He cited an example of the centre’s pace of operation in 1985 versus now with 2,731 cases, 5,580 exhibits with 154 firearm exhibits and 150 post-mortems back then.
He said that in September 2023 there were 4,658 cases, 20,886 exhibits with 9,298 exhibits and 880 post-mortems.
Ambassador Fang thanked Hinds for his support on the project, adding that this will ensure the strengthening of the capacity of Trinidad and Tobago’s law enforcement.
He remarked that both countries have shared “friendly exchanges” for two centuries and established official diplomatic ties in 1974.
He also recalled that, in 2018, Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to sign China’s Belt and Road Initiative, “propelling our cooperation to a new stage”.
“This partnership with Trinidad and Tobago is an important component in diplomatic relations and a significant step forward and huge potential for security cooperation,” he said.
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