Narration Since the nineteen fifties
thousands of South Asian leaders have seized the opportunity to further their
knowledge at Australian universities through prestigious Australia awards
scholarships their new knowledge and skills are
improving countless lives in their home countries
Narration In the country famous for gross national happiness,
having dedicated forensic experts investigate a crime scene was, until fairly recently,
unheard of.
Narration Today, though, the Thimpu police station’s
forensics unit is out in full force to find evidence about who stole this taxi at gunpoint.
This is one of the units set up in each of the country’s 36 police stations.
They, like the other units, have been trained and equipped to properly collect, handle and
transport forensic evidence.
This is largely thanks to the initiative and drive of Major Lobzang, the head of forensics
at the Royal Bhutan Police force.
Major Lobzang I had a fascination for forensic science and
I was interested in how science was being used in the delivery of justice.
Narration Major Lobzang was able to pursue this passion
further than he ever imagined when he won a prestigious Australia Awards scholarship
to study DNA technology at Flinders University in South Australia.
When he returned in 2004, Bhutan’s criminal justice system still relied heavily on testimonies.
Major Lobzang We all know that testimonies are very subjective
and there is always this question mark …. (But bringing objective evidence into the
picture really supplements and compliments testimonial evidence and ensures that the
prosecution, detection and investigation is beyond reasonable doubt.
Major Lobzang So, we set-up forensic units in each and every
police station … and subsequently we also built the capacity of over 50 police personnel
and gave them training on basic forensic science …
Narration Having trained this national cadre, Major
Lobzang led the set-up of a small forensics science laboratory at Police headquarters
to carry out basic examinations.
But, for complicated analyses, evidence has to be sent to abroad.
Narration During the investigation of a recent murder
case, Major Lobzang’s lasting connections with Australia meant that evidence was rapidly
analysed at the Forensic Science Centre in South Australia.
Major Lobzang (from the other interview) Within two weeks
we got a result … the blood found on the suspects t-shirt matched that of the deceased
… and he was convicted for the murder.
Narration Often, though, evidence sent abroad takes
months to be processed, holding up serious legal proceedings in Bhutan.
Major Lobzang Having seen the value of a dedicated forensics
service, the government of Bhutan and now committed to building the country’s first
national forensics science laboratory.
Narration In recognition of his achievements, Major
Lobzang was recently awarded a medal for outstanding national service.
But, for the Major, the greater rewards lie elsewhere.
Major Lobzang (from the Audio only interview) As a forensic
person, if I go into a prison and somebody says I was innocently convicted that would
be the worst nightmare for me.
Narration And this was exactly the scenario that he
faced on a recent case.
A young student had been arrested on the charge of involuntary manslaughter.
The evening before he had been driving home late after a party with a friend when they
had an accident.
The next morning his friend was found dead next to a sewer.
Narration The tangible evidence revealed that the two
had parted company and later one had slipped and fallen into the sewer, where he tragically
died in the early hours of the morning.
The student held in custody was acquitted, thanks to the forensic evidence, and in now
back at college.
Major Lobzang I think the most rewarding part is that I
could make a small contribution towards strengthen the criminal justice system.
Narration Since Australia started its program of support
to Bhutan in the late 1960’s, hundreds of leaders like Major Lobzang have gain valuable
knowledge and connections through Australia Awards scholarships.
And, in the case of strengthening Bhutan’s criminal justice system, the forensic science
service is right on target.