| By Rehanna RamsayAn expert forensic analyst has confirmed that a DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) test conducted on samples ofMurdered:Neesa Gopaulthe remains, which were provided by a member of the Guyana Police Force belonged to murdered 16–year–old Queen’s College student, Neesa Gopaul.On October 2, 2010, the headless remains of a female were discovered at a location along the Soesdkye/Linden Highway, tucked inside a suitcase that was partially submerged in a creek. A rope was wrapped around the suitcase and dumbbells were attached at one end, apparently in an effort to keep the body under water.A passport and other documents bearing the name Neesa Lalita Gopaul were also found along with the remains. The teen went missing from her home just days before the incident.Following the discovery the teen’s mother, Bibi Shareema Gopaul and Jarvis Barry Small were arrested and charged for the murder. The two persons are on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed twelve -member jury at the High Court in Georgetown.Testifying via an audio/visual link (Skype) from the Office of the Guyana Consulate in Barbados yesterday,Jerseys Wholesale, Lorraine Alleyne,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, a Forensic Scientist in DNA, attached to the Forensic Sciences Centre (FSC) on the island, explained that the samples of human organs taken from a female corpse purportedly belonging toBibi Shareema Gopaulthe murdered teen were a 99.98% match to samples from Buccal swabs, which were identified to be that of murder accused, Bibi Gopaul.As such, the forensic scientist concluded that the test results proved that the remains belonged to a female child of Bibi Gopaul.Before being deemed an expert in her field by the court, Alleyne outlined her qualifications and experience in the field of forensic sciences and medical technology.The witness detailed to the court that she is the holder of a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology from the Caribbean Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists at University of the West Indies, (UWI) in Jamaica; a Honours Degree in Biology from UWI and Masters Of Science Degree in Forensic Sciences from the King’s College University of London.Ms Alleyne also told the court that she has more than 20 years of experience in her field of work; she has testified in more than 100 criminal matters in various courts across the region.Alleyne is currently the Deputy Director of the Barbados FSC. As part of her duties, the witness outlined that she is responsible for receiving and analyzing bodily fluids – which includes blood and semen – to carry out DNA profiling and also conduct DNA testing to determine family relations such as between a father and his child/children and a mother and her child/children or in cases of identifying bodies following a massJarvis Barry Smalldisaster.The forensic analyst also noted that part of her duty is to collect DNA evidence which has to be compared to another sample of Buccal swab or tissue taken from the victim, accused, mother, father and other persons,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, depending on the scenario.The witness told the court that on November 5, 2010, she received samples of human organs labelled to be that of Neesa Gopaul and samples of Buccal swabs labeled to be that of Mohamed Kayum, Miriam Gopaul and Bibi Gopaul, which were later tested and analysed. She said that following the analysis she prepared a DNA certificate and analysis with her results and findings.The witness noted that she made observations and compiled it as part of the certificate to which she placed her signature. Ms Alleyne said that her findings were previously presented and tendered as a part of the evidence in a preliminary hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in February of 2011.The witness was thereafter shown a document which she recognized to be the DNA certificate and analysis which she had prepared in the matter.Alleyne was subsequently permitted to read the report, in which she noted that tests conducted on pieces of lung, liver and rib labeled Neesa Gopaul were compared to samples of Buccal swabs labelled Bibi Gopaul,Cheap Jerseys Online, and confirmed that the body components were most likely taken from a female child of Bibi Gopaul based on a probability of 99.98 percent of DNA bands observed in tissue samples which originated from the two persons.As she read the report to a packed courtroom, the number two accused Bibi Gopaul wept uncontrollably; she was seen using an inhaler to assist her in breathing. Small, her former lover,Cheap Jerseys From China, sat quietly in the dock.The analyst went on to note that there was no contamination of the samples during the process of testing.Asked by Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar about the probability of receiving a 100% result between the samples which were compared, the witness explained that 100% would only be possible in cases when the results did not match or cases where another method was used. She noted that method would usually take years to complete.Under cross examination by Defence Counsel Glenn Hanoman, the witness explained that she only received the samples for testing to determine the identity of the persons from whom the samples were extracted.The witness also accepted that there was no way in which she could have known that the samples were taken from the deceased (Neesa Gopaul) and the co-accused, Bibi Gopaul.The Defence Attorney also suggested to the witness that the laboratory in which the tests were conducted was shut down because it had been contaminated. In response, Alleyne noted that the laboratory was shut down briefly between 2009 and 2010 because of a mould infestation.The witness also accepted that in 2010 the laboratory was not accredited by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) which is an international regulatory body responsible for setting standards and guidelines for various professional environments; the ISO would also authenticate certification of laboratory equipment. The witness thereafter acknowledged that the FSC in Barbados is still to be accredited by the ISO. She also accepted that the reliability of results and the integrity of samples is of paramount importance in delivering quality results in DNA testing.The witness also accepted that Detective Steven Greaves, the policeman from whom she received the samples did not use the packaging recommended for the storage of the samples set for DNA analysis.In response to a question by the lawyer, Alleyne agreed that DNA can be transferred from one person to another by “mere touching.”Asked whether it was possible that Bibi Gopaul‘s DNA could have been transferred on to the body of the deceased at some point of handling. The witness responded that this “might be possible but not probable.” Alleyne subsequently noted that it is recommended that protective gear be used in cases of the aforementioned scenario.In response to questions posed by Attorney-at-law, George Thomas, the witness also accepted that bacteria which can be found in mud or muddy water can destroy DNA. She however, noted that in such cases, particles set for DNA testing must be first cleansed.Prosecutor Kaulesar thereafter asked the witness to clarify statements she previously made under cross examination by the defence. As such,Cheap NBA Jerseys China, Alleyne clarified that the laboratory had already been cleaned and reopened in January 2010. She also noted that Barbados FSC is in the process of receiving its accreditation from the ISO. Alleyne said that before receiving certification from the ISO the organisation must first submit a list of protocols being observed.“We are in the process of documenting all our protocols,China Jerseys Wholesale,” she added. The witness also maintained that protocols were observed to ensure the integrity of the DNA tests and results. |
