DNA testing to verify whether charred remains found in a torched car more than a month ago are those of missing witness Colin Rodney Jr is still ongoing, according to Director of the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) Delon France.
France explained to Stabroek News that while the process is still ongoing, analysts now have to conduct some bone extractions for testing, which is likely to take some time due to the technicality of the process.
However, he noted that it should not exceed the month-long period within which the results are expected.
Last month, France had told Stabroek News that the results of the DNA tests could be known within a month or less.
France had explained that the timeframe for the results of testing of any samples submitted to the lab for testing is usually one month. He had, however, noted that it can be ready before. “…That’s our maximum turnaround time for any piece of evidence that was submitted, whether drugs or whatever, any piece of evidence…but it can take less,” he had said.
He had added that the GFSL is capable of doing the needed DNA testing and therefore the samples will not have to be sent overseas.
Crime Chief (ag) Michael Kingston had previously told this newspaper that the GFSL will be conducting the DNA testing to determine whether samples taken from the charred remains are indeed those of Rodney.
The samples were handed over to the GFSL sometime between the first two weeks of November.
The charred remains, suspected to be those of Rodney, were found on the afternoon of November 1st in the trunk of a torched car at Letter T, Mahaicony.
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) later confirmed the burnt car belonged to Rodney.
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.
Rodney Jr was last seen alive when he departed his home around 7.45 am on October 25th in his 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, had related to this newspaper 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.
Hunter recently said that she is worried about the time it will take before she can receive the DNA results.
She said she just want her son’s remains to be buried.
“You know what it is for a mother to lose a 36-year-old child and now he dead you can’t even get he body…? All I want is me child body to bury…. all I want is the lil remains to put in a resting place but like dah and all will be a hard thing,” the grieving woman related.
