Jamaicans who are tired of the persistent murders will welcome the announcement that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) cleared up 619 murder cases in 2025, representing an approximate 92 per cent clearance rate, presumably over 2024.

National Security and Peace Minister Dr Horace Chang attributed the achievement to Jamaica’s investment in forensic services that has contributed to advancements in DNA analysis, fingerprint examination, ballistics, digital forensics, toxicology, and crime scene reconstruction.

He emphasised the point as he addressed the Caribbean Association of Forensic Sciences Biennial Conference on Monday, that the increasing use of forensic science is strengthening the delivery of justice and security by transforming the way crimes are investigated and prosecuted, as investigators access more reliable evidence.

We are among those in the cheering gallery on this one. It is hard to imagine modern policing without the application of forensic science to help investigators to evaluate, interpret, and reconstruct crime scenes, identify offenders and support successful prosecutions.

“Today, the response to a crime scene extends far beyond an investigator carrying a notebook and securing a perimeter. Most of our investigations are supported by an integral suite of forensic services,” Dr Chang said.

A clear-up rate of 25 per cent in 2025 is impressive, especially when it is noted that in 2024 the JCF reported a murder clear-up rate of approximately 35.9 per cent over 2023 in a year when the country recorded 1,141 homicides.

Dr Chang is convinced that this achievement reflects not only the skill of investigators, but also investments in modern forensic tools and capabilities.

Add to that the establishment of the JCF Forensic Services Branch, “which consolidated major forensic disciplines under a single structure to improve efficiency, strengthen evidentiary support, and enhance investigative processes”.

It is to be admitted that Jamaica has been slow off the mark in the utilisation of forensic science to fight crime. We note that Dr Chang once again promised on Monday to commission the state-of-the-art Forensic Pathology Autopsy Suite aimed at significantly reducing post-mortem waiting periods.

A year ago almost to the day, the official opening of the autopsy suite was staged at the facility located at 149 Orange Street in downtown Kingston with great fanfare and trumpeting that we had spent $680 million to set it up, so as to streamline post-mortem services.

Key features of the Forensic Pathology Autopsy Suite include four dissecting bays with surgical lighting, enabling multiple post-mortems to be conducted simultaneously; a refrigeration system with capacity to store up to 150 bodies in varying stages of decomposition; a fully equipped X-ray room, multiple forensic laboratories, and a teaching and isolation room, as well as administrative offices, a solar-powered water heating system, and a standby generator for energy resilience.

Of course, the minister acknowledged ongoing challenges, including shortages of trained professionals, laboratory capacity limitations, and case backlogs, which we believe should have been expected.

Still, we wish them all the best. Jamaicans want to know that murder cases are being cleared up expeditiously and transparently.