THE Bob Woolmer debacle must serve as another wake-up call for an overhaul of Jamaica's justice system, defence attorneys have said.

Prominent Kingston attorneys at law Valrie Neita-Robertson and Jacqueline Samuels-Brown have said that the case, which many argued caused a national disgrace, again highlights the need for a proper forensic system in the investigative process.

"We are of the view that the level of investigation of cases in Jamaica needs drastic improvement," Mrs. Neita-Robertson said.

The attorney added that "what the Woolmer case has done is to expose the weakness of our investigative machinery."

Mrs. Neita-Robertson noted that in most instances, the investigation by attorneys is more thorough than that of the police.

Call for proper equipment

Like many other experts, she has joined the call for proper forensic equipment and has suggested that pathologists, like scene-of-crime-police personnel, must view bodies where they are discovered.

"In this way, it is easier for them to be more objective and independent when they carry out their examinations," she argued.

"We have some serious question marks about the pathologists we have had in Jamaica. We find that their work is not thorough," Mrs. Neita-Robertson said, adding that from her experience, pathologists often rely on the police to tell them what they believe might have been the cause of death.

Mrs. Samuels-Brown also emphasised the need to correct the defects in the forensic department in order not to compromise the justice system.

"It is probably a good time to review our investigative procedure because what has occurred in the Woolmer case has the potential of causing grave doubt over the integrity, professionalism and competence of aspects of the forensic department," Mrs. Samuels-Brown said.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com