THE deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA branch of the PNP Crime Laboratory 7, which is located in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City, is now complete and fully operational. The lab cost about P20 to P30 million.
The facility will examine swab samples that require DNA testing, especially involving crimes such as the brutal murder of Christine Lee Silawan, whose face was peeled off.
According to Police Brigadier General Steve Ludan, the director of the PNP Crime laboratory, the new facility will help expedite the DNA testing process since it is now in Cebu.
However, dug up human bones cannot be examined by the DNA machine available in Cebu. These will still need to be sent to the head facility for testing.
Before the opening of the Cebu branch, there was only one DNA facility of the PNP, located in Camp Crame, where DNA testing involving heinous crimes in the country are done. Since it was the only DNA testing facility then, results took some time, almost a month usually.
PRO 7 Chief Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro said the newly opened facility will not only benefit Central Visayas, but also Regions 6 and 8.
Since there is now a DNA facility in Cebu, investigations will progress more smoothly and cases will be closed faster.
“This is a very much welcome development and we would like to acknowledge the able leadership of the crime lab and we hope that this equipment we have can make our life easier, particularly in DNA testing, which will now be catered to by this office,” said Ferro.
There are three chemists from the PNP Crime laboratory 7 who have undergone a seminar abroad on human DNA testing. Usually, results for DNA testing can be obtained in a week and can then be used as evidence in court. (AYB / CBQ)