SIX Vertical Gel Electrophoresis (VGE) machines that have been sitting at the Kingston Wharves since last month waiting to be cleared should shortly be in the hands of officials of the DNA department of the Government Forensic Laboratory.

This is according to Dr Judith Mowatt, Director of the forensic laboratory.

“I received assurance that every effort will be made to clear them as soon as possible,” Mowatt told the Observer.

The new equipment was acquired at a cost of US$10,000 and will replace six machines that had broken down under the overwhelming demands for DNA test results.

“They [ old equipment] simply had outlived their shelf life. They have been real workhorses and like all machines they are built to last for a certain time,” Mowatt said.

In addition to the heavy case load of crime tests, the department also conducts all family court-ordered paternity tests.

Meanwhile, Mowatt said she would like to see the system upgraded to the modern capillary electrophoresis grade, which requires less space and labour, and would dramatically decrease the turnaround time for DNA tests.

The Sunday Observer reported that the laboratory had benefitted from a US$1.2 million donation from corporate giant Grace Kennedy for the refurbishing of the DNA unit, but Mowatt said the actual figure was J$5 million, a portion of which was used to buy computers and software for the laboratory.

The bill for refurbishing the DNA Unit is being footed by the government, and not Grace Kennedy as was previously reported.

Mowatt also said the US$1.2 million was the amount tabled as needed to bring the laboratory to full modern capability.