THERE is no backlog of autopsies at the Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre (TTFSC) in St James.
This is according to the Ministry of National Security which issued a press release on Thursday.
The ministry is stating that reports of a backlog were incorrect and post-mortem examinations were conducted as swiftly as possible.
Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds said that the TTFSC was still conducting autopsies and other services in support of law enforcement, other agencies responsible for criminal investigations as well as the judicial systems, the release stated.
The ministry admitted that due to additional measures in keeping with current public health protocols the process was lengthier but was being done in a timely and efficient manner.
New measures which include testing bodies for Covid-19 also add time to the process.
After results are received, additional coordination between the TTFSC, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and family members of the deceased can also become time-consuming. In instances where autopsies are to be witnessed by family members of the deceased, all public health protocols are still observed, the release stated.
The ministry also stated that staff members were also affected by the virus and public health protocols which may result in time away from the job. This impacted operations and in such cases, a contingency was put in place to ensure services are operational.
