An autopsy conducted yesterday on the charred remains suspected to be those of Colin Rodney Jr, the key witness in an ongoing murder case, was inconclusive, according to Crime Chief (ag) Michael Kingston.
Kingston told Stabroek News that while the autopsy could not determine the cause of death, samples were taken for DNA testing to determine whether the remains are indeed those of Rodney.
Kingston, however, could not say whether the DNA testing will be done here or if the samples will be sent overseas.
“That evaluation will have to be done by the people at the lab,” he explained.
When contacted yesterday, Director of the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) Delon France told Stabroek News that the lab is “fully equipped” to handle the case if the need arises.
He noted that samples in relation to this matter were not yet submitted to the lab.
“Yes we can handle it… if the evidence… when they submit the evidence here we will be able to process it,” France said.
France explained that DNA testing has begun at the facility.
“Yes we offer the testing… we would have completed validation about a month ago or so”,” he said.
While he could not provide an exact figure, France said some evidence has been submitted to date for processing.
In June this year, France had announced the commencement of DNA testing of several samples from crime scenes following the acquisition of a key piece of equipment and the training of four staff members in its use.
This development has been one the country has been awaiting for a number of years.
The DNA testing encompasses three main areas – comparison or matching evidence to the suspect, paternity testing and family mapping/testing where you can use the family DNA to identify a suspect even if the suspect’s DNA is unavailable.
Cheek cells, semen, vaginal secretion, hair, blood and touch DNA are among the samples that can be collected and submitted for testing.
The DNA testing equipment and a Gunshot Residue (GSR) testing device, together costing US$465,000 were sourced from an Italy-based company through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The charred remains suspected to be those of Rodney were found last Friday afternoon in the trunk of a torched car at Letter T, Mahaicony.
Kingston had previously told this newspaper that the police received a call last Friday afternoon from an unknown individual, who informed them that a car was on fire at Letter T, Mahaicony.
As a result, ranks were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, the car was found burnt beyond recognition. Upon further investigation, the charred remains were found in the trunk of the car.
While investigators will have to wait the results of the DNA testing to determine if the remains are indeed his, Jacqueline Hunter, his mother, recently told Stabroek News that she is already confident that he is gone. “Is meh son. Is meh son. Is he car…I know marks on the car. It got a dent, is he…if you see me child,” Hunter had said.
Rodney Jr was last seen alive when he departed his home around 7.45 am on October 25th in his car, PRR 1076.
A missing person’s report was filed at the East La Penitence police station.
On the day of his disappearance, Rodney was scheduled to attend the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in order to be cross-examined at the preliminary inquiry (PI) into a murder charge against Osafa Grundell and James Fraser, who have been charged with the murder of Rodney’s cousin, Marlon Rodney.
