NBI-7 now has own forensic lab

CEBU, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation-7 has now its own forensic laboratory.

NBI-7 regional director Max Salvador said they will no longer ask for help from their central office on forensic examination following the acquisition of the new machines by the NBI-7.

He said during typhoons Sendong in 2011, Pablo in 2012 and Yolanda in 2013, they had to ask assistance from Manila in identifying the bodies of the victims.

With the new forensic laboratory for the Visayas, Salvador said they can now immediately respond to any disasters and solve crimes if forensic examinations are needed.

According to NBI-7 medico legal officer Dr. Rene Cam, there was a mandate to create a forensic laboratory in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

When the machines were delivered to their office, Cam said, he then asked their central office if it is possible that they could immediately create a laboratory.

Cam said their central office approved, thus the forensic laboratory for the Visayas, located within the vicinity of the NBI-7 in Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, was realized.

“Creating this laboratory is actually for the people of Cebu especially in times of disaster or calamities,” Cam said, adding that the primary purpose of the laboratory’s construction is for solving crimes.

The machines are for ballistic examination, autopsy, chemistry, toxicology, and finger prints examination, and microscopes for fiber determination, Cam said.

He added that they only lack the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which, he said, could be acquired by the end of the year. — (FREEMAN)