A national forensic services laboratory in Antigua and Barbuda is steadily taking shape, with full operations expected by the end of 2026, according to Attorney General and Minister for Public Safety, Sir Steadroy Benjamin.
The Antigua and Barbuda Forensic Services (ABFS) is part of government efforts to enhance law enforcement and reduce reliance on overseas facilities for forensic analysis.
Speaking in an interview with ABS, Sir Steadroy said critical legislative work and equipment procurement are still required before the lab can be fully functional. However, he confirmed that a draft bill to support the lab’s operation will be tabled in Parliament before the end of October.
“Mr. Tabor prepared the draft. We looked at it and we’re satisfied that we are now ready to have it going forward,” he said.
The Attorney General emphasised the significance of the forensic facility in helping the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda solve crimes more swiftly.
“Antigua has got the lowest rate of serious crimes in this part of the hemisphere, and we intend to maintain that record,” Sir Steadroy said. “But we think we can solve crime more rapidly if we had a forensic department which could do the work that other countries now do on our behalf.”
Currently, forensic evidence is often sent to laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and the United States. The new facility will eliminate the need for these external services.
In addition to passing the legislation, the government is expected to focus on specialist training and acquisition of advanced forensic equipment in the coming months.
Sir Steadroy called the initiative a step forward in cementing Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a regional leader in policing and crime prevention.
“This little country, Antigua and Barbuda—we’re small, but we’re _talawa_ ,” he said, using a Caribbean term meaning resilient or strong. “We have led the region not only in policing but in other aspects of crime prevention and detection, and we want to maintain that record.”
