Topic: Cayman Islands Forensic Science Laboratory

A man accused of possessing a gun found hidden in a Paw Patrol backpack has told a jury he has no idea how his DNA ended up on the weapon.

Getting the results of drugs screening tests will take three to four times longer than usual because of problems with equipment at the Cayman Islands Forensic Science Laboratory at the Health Services Authority.

Resignations of two key personnel at the government's forensic laboratory has led to understaffing at the lab and delays in processing police evidence such as illegal drugs, Health Services Authority CEO Lizzette Yearwood has acknowledged, but she says the hiring of two new staffers will help clear the backlog.

The HSA lab has processed roughly 20,000 tests - 10 years' worth of work under normal circumstances - during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cayman Islands Forensic Science Laboratory has renewed its international accreditation for another four years, following a successful audit by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation.