Road Town, Tortola - The Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Julian Fraser RA recently appointed Dr. Corinthia Dupuis, a pathologist at the BVI Health Services Authority, to serve as analyst for cases under the Road Traffic Act.
The appointment which took effect May 4 is for a period of one year. Dr. Dupuis will be responsible for analysing blood or urine samples at the request of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
According to the minister, the Territory has not had a local analyst since the early 1990’s. “We are extremely excited to have one now in the person of Dr. Dupuis,” Minister Fraser told the Department of Information and Public Relations. “The role of the analyst is very important in light of the recent increase in traffic accidents, especially those involving pedestrians. By having an analyst, we have now increased the efficiency and effectiveness of the police in prosecuting traffic offences where alcohol and drugs play key roles,” explained Minister Fraser.
Inspector Kenrick Headley, Head of Traffic Investigation Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, said that in the past blood or urine requiring laboratory testing for police investigations were sent overseas to be analysed, a process which sometime took up to one year. “Now that we have an analyst, the processing of blood and urine will be quicker, more cost effective and easier on the department,” Inspector Headley confirmed.
According to the Road Traffic Act, blood and urine samples are required to be tested and analysed for alcohol and illegal drugs for their prescribed limits under the law.
These limits are 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood which is the equivalent of 107 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, BVI Health Services Authority, Dr. Ronald Georges said, “As pathologist attached to the Peebles Hospital, Dr. Dupius has overall responsibility for assuring the quality and accuracy of results for all tests done or acquired by the Peebles Hospital Laboratory and has the added advantage of being able to give a medical interpretation of those results.”
The Ministry of Communications and Works continues to promote driver safety in compliance with the Territory’s road traffic legislation.
British Virgin Islands News