Glenroy Sinclair and Robert Hart, Staff ReportersTHE GOVERNMENT is expecting to replace its broken-down and non-functioning ballistics machine within the next six months as it hurries to end more than two years without one of its most important investigative tools.
According to Gilbert Scott, permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, the Government has been considering the purchase of new equipment to replace the drug-fire machine once used by the police force's forensics laboratory.
"It's very expensive," said Mr. Scott, suggesting that the estimated US$2 million (J$120 million) cost of a new drug-fire machine had militated against its acquisition.
The machine is a computerised system used by ballistic experts to trace spent shells found at crime scenes.
But, Mr. Scott explained, the National Security Ministry learnt recently of another type of ballistics machine that could be acquired at a cost of under US$1 million.
"We are now trying to determine if it is the right thing for us," he told The Gleaner earlier this month, adding that he expects a new machine to be in the island in another three to six months.
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Just last September, the Police Officers Association criticised the Government for the limited financial resources, crime-fighting equipment and ballistic machines among other things, that have been made available to the police.
In June last year, Clive Mullings, deputy Opposition spokesman on national security, lambasted the Government while arguing that, with the need for the services of a working ballistic drug-fire machine, the police force's current capacity to scientifically inves-tigate crime was wanting.
Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, outgoing Police Commissioner Francis Forbes said the pending acquisition of the machine will assist the forensic unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to store data on licensed and unlicensed firearms.
Commissioner Forbes said the machine has the capacity to link with regional and international law enforcement networks, which will enhance the police's capability in investigating gun crimes.
"This is a more advanced version of the drug-fire machine that we had some years ago," said Mr. Forbes.
Commissioner Forbes said two weeks ago, that the absence of a ballistic machine at the forensic laboratory, continues to hinder police investigations into gun-related crimes.
Last year, 620 illegal guns were seized by the police.
