Govt. Committed to Building New Public Morgue – Dr. Phillips

Minister of National Security, Dr. Peter Phillips has emphasised that the Government was committed to building a new public morgue. “I can report that the design and specifications for a new public morgue is now completed and consultations are underway with the KSAC and the National Environment and Planning Agency to expedite the approval process. We expect to be issuing invitation for tenders before the end of July, with work to commence before the end of this year,” Dr. Phillips added. The Minister was making his contribution to the 2007/08 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, yesterday (June 13).
Dr. Phillips pointed out that some delays were experienced in concluding the transfer of the land for the morgue from the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), as well as the need to make extensive modifications to the design, in order to respond to current realities and to make provision for the incorporation of modern technology.
The Minister also noted that some $60 million would be invested by the Ministry to buy additional equipment, a Genetic Analyser, for the Forensic Laboratory.
He pointed out that the genetic analyser was the most modern DNA analytical equipment available.
Critical scientific and technical devices have been supplied to the forensic laboratory to improve its analytical capabilities. These include, 28 new digital cameras, scanning electronic microscopes, computers and DNA sampling equipment. The Minister also informed that the Ministry would be spending $150 million to acquire 20 breathalyser machines to equip highway police patrol officers with an essential tool to improve safety on the roads.