KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States Government has donated a Scanning Electron Microscope to the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine — a department of the Ministry of National Security.

The microscope, valued at approximately J$37 million is to enhance the institute’s capacity to analyse microscopic evidence from gun-related crimes.

Speaking today at the official handing over of the microscope, Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr said, “Over the years significant investments have been made in providing the institute with cutting-edge equipment and training in order to operate at a world-class level. This is to ensure that the institute will continue to play a vital role in the fight against crime and violence by supporting the investigation and prosecution processes with the use of appropriate technology and the application of forensic sciences.”

In thanking the US Government for its continued support in Jamaica’s fight against crime, Senator Charles Jr said:  “The Ministry of National Security will continue to work with its local and international partners to build the technological capacity of all areas of our national security infrastructure, to effectively fight crime.”

The Scanning Electron Microscope will assist in solving gun crimes. Elaine Dunbar, director of chemistry at the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine, said the equipment uses electrons to magnify gunshot residue and gives elemental composition of materials.  

She noted that the microscope will allow the institute to analyse the adhesive stub placed on the hands of people suspected of firing a weapon. The adhesive stub will collect the residue and gas that remain on the back of the hands and palms after a gun has been fired.

“This machine will take Jamaica’s forensic testing to international standards as it provides the most specific method of analysing material,” she said.

The Scanning Electron Microscope has already been installed and employees who will be operating the machine have started to receive training.

This new machine is the most recent gift from the US Government which had previously donated four Comparison Microscopes capable of identifying unique marks from a gun when it is fired.

In addition, the institute has also been gifted with a fume hood, a sterile enclosure that allows ballistics experts to carry out tests in a controlled environment to ensure their protection from any chemicals used.