Malta’s forensic laboratory has been in a state of abandonment since 2001 when the scientific functions that fell under the police were transferred under the Malta National Laboratory, according to expert Anthony Abela Medici.
“We need a proper national forensic laboratory with accredited experts… The country has to invest in a fully fledged DNA lab – that is the future,” he told The Sunday Times of Malta.
Dr Abela Medici, a forensic expert who headed Malta’s first forensic lab, said it was important that the DNA lab was run by the State since that guaranteed a maintained level of quality.
His comments came a few days after a magistrate described the state of Malta’s forensic lab as “alarming” after hearing it did not have equipment to analyse blood samples and establish DNA profiles.
On Thursday George Cutajar – the director of the lab that now falls under the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) – told the magistrate that the Mosta-based lab was in dire need of hardware and personnel. DNA testing currently took place in a private laboratory.
Dr Abela Medici explained that the forensic lab was originally set up in 1981.
Back then the scientific testing was carried out in a section of the University of Malta taken over by the police’s Forensic Lab. Technical testing – like ballistics, photography and fingerprints – was done at the police headquarters.
Since then many scientists resigned leaving about two or three there today
A few years later, in 1985, the technical and scientific aspects were amalgamated under the police’s Forensic Science Lab in new buildings at the current police headquarters.
In 2001 the scientific section, including the staff, was transferred to the Malta National Laboratory – marking the beginning of the downfall, he said.
“Most equipment was boxed and some were never re-opened… Since then many scientists resigned leaving about two or three there today,” Dr Abela Medici said adding that he remained in charge of the police’s technical lab until 2010.
He pointed out that one of the aspects contributing to this present impasse in court experts was the fact that the Criminal Code stated that there should be a panel of accredited forensic experts listed for the courts to pick from.
However, this list was never drawn up and magistrates picked whoever they liked or who was proposed to them.
Sources said that when the Malta National Laboratory was transferred within the MCCAA it was meant to apply for its ISO (International Organisation of Standards) certificate. But this did not happen.
Marcel Pizzuto, who chairs the authority, said that in 2011 the lab was renamed Laboratory Services Directorate when it was transferred to the authority.
Following the change in government, an operational review of the authority, including its laboratories, was carried out and “consequently the operations of these laboratories is presently under consideration,” she said. She added that the lab was carrying out the same type of tests which used to be carried out by the Malta National Laboratory before the setting up of authority.