Talks are underway to secure the services of one of the world’s foremost agencies in forensic anthropology to support the investigation of the Guyana police Force into the murders of the trio youths in the West Coast Berbice backlands.
Berbice teenagers Isaiah and Joel Henry and Haresh Singh were slaughtered last month in the backlands of No.3 Village West Coast Berbice.
The Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology (Equipo Argentino de Antropologia Forensica-EAAF) which has worked on high profile cases in many parts of the world has offered to send a team to Guyana including a forensic pathologist, a forensic anthropologist and a forensic radiologist, a joint statement by the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Human Rights Association and the Hughes Fields and Stoby chambers said.
The team will bring the equipment they need.
Discussions with the Director of the EAAF to bring this initiative to fruition are being undertaken by representatives of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana human Rights Association and the law firm representing pro bono the interests of the families Hughes Fields and Stoby. The anticipated outcome will be an unprecedented collaboration of local, regional and international forensic expertise, the EAAF team will build on the forensic work of the regional security system which is currently examining samples from the crime scene, victims and suspects.
According to the statement a recent zoom conference agreed that the initiative will comprise a team of four people – including a forensic anthropologist, a forensic pathologist, and a forensic radiologist with the necessary technical equipment. The team will remain in Guyana for a week. A Report of the Team’s findings will be made available within a month.
The statement said the visit will happen as soon as the logistics of getting the team to Guyana are completed. The major challenge may well be Covid-19 rather than administration issues.
Engagement of a prestigious team such as EAAF increases the possibility of providing the families of the victims with some form of closure as well as securing a successful prosecution of the perpetrators.
“A version of the truth surrounding the deaths which is supported by the best science available locally, regionally and internationally, will also increase acceptance of by all right-thinking Guyanese. Such a Report would provide a foundation on which to build more harmonious communities both on West Coast Berbice and throughout the country,” the statement added.
A Briefing Note provided by the EAAF indicates that since its foundation in 1984, the organisation has worked in 55 countries. It is involved with the case over the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico currently attracting much international attention.
EAAF is made up of 70 members with qualifications in different scientific fields, such as anthropology, archaeology, medicine, criminalistics, information technology, biology, and genetics. They work at the different offices that the institution has in Argentina (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Tucumán) as well as in New York, Mexico, and South Africa.
Since its creation, EAAF has remained independent of any government or political party, and is distinguished by its low profile, more involved with actions than with words.
Its financing sources are typically European and North American foundations, some European states, and, since 2005, the Argentine state.
Earlier this week President Irfaan Ali Dr. Mohamed announced that evidence gathered from the investigations into the murders of West Coast Berbice teenagers Isaiah and Joel Henry and Haresh Singh, has been sent to St. Lucia for analysis.
The Head of State made the disclosure during a recent interview with media personnel at his office.
“We have a team that has left for St. Lucia with some of the evidence to do more detailed analysis, so that is going on at the same time. For confidentiality reasons, the regional body has asked to have certain things respected from their perspective and we are sticking to that. There are components of the MOU that can’t be made public,” President Ali said.
While noting that there is a cost attached to the support Guyana is receiving from the regional body, he added that “is a small issue in relation to what we hope to achieve and that is bringing these people to justice.”
A five-member team of investigators from the Regional Security System arrived in Guyana two days ago to assist the Guyana Police Force (GPF) with their investigations into the brutal murders of the three teenagers.
The collaboration follows a request from President Ali for regional assistance in bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.
Three weeks ago, the lifeless bodies of the Henry cousins were discovered badly mutilated and chopped a day after they were reported missing. This resulted in protests across West Berbice. Singh’s body was discovered three days later in the Number Two Village backdam where he had gone on an errand.
