On the 22nd November 2023, the 10th day of the 10th month in the Water Female Rabbit Year of the Lunar Calendar, the first purpose built forensic laboratory in Bhutan was opened.
Following a successful tender award in November 2020, Cellmark worked closely with the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) to review their existing forensic capabilities and requirements.
In March 2021 Cellmark provided detailed designs for a state-of-the-art forensic DNA laboratory to be incorporated within the RBP’s proposed new facility. Recommendations for the laboratory equipment, process workflows, organisation and staffing requirements to deliver a modern and efficient forensic laboratory, in compliance with international quality standards, were also provided after a consultation process with the project team.
Construction of the laboratory started in September 2021 after the Royal Bhutan Police received a grant from the Austrian Development Cooperation and was completed in October 2023. Cellmark provided ongoing advice throughout the development of the facility, which is equipped with the technology required for DNA recovery and analysis, as well as providing space for future toxicology, fingerprint and cybercrime analysis.
In addition to overseeing the construction and validation of the laboratories, Cellmark provided onsite support for the DNA process validation, as well as additional DNA analysis training for the Royal Bhutan Police officers working in the laboratory.
The inauguration of Bhutan's first purpose-built forensic laboratory stands as a testament to the successful collaboration between Cellmark and the Royal Bhutan Police. This state-of-the-art facility, built to international quality standards, not only represents a major advancement in forensic capabilities for the Royal Bhutan Police but is also a significant milestone in the strengthening of the country's law enforcement infrastructure.