“If the ballistic evidence has been handed over to the police under the command of one of the principal suspects, then the integrity of the evidence was in serious jeopardy. In local terms, we asking the cat to watch the milk and expect it to be there when we are ready for it…” – Nigel HughesBy Michael JordanA Linden resident displays a spent shell which he claimed was recovered from the scene of last Wednesday’s fatal shooting of protestors by the police.Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes said yesterday that any investigation into the Linden killings may already have been compromised if the incriminated ranks also collected forensic evidence from the scene.He likened this to “asking the cat to watch the milk,” while repeating calls by his party, the Alliance for Change (AFC) for “a credible, uncompromised, independent forensic investigation of the homicides.”“We have no doubt that the weapons used on Wednesday would have had to have been lodged…and hands should have been swabbed to confirm who fired weapons on the day,” Hughes said in a statement released to Kaieteur News.“If the ballistic evidence has been handed over to the police in Linden under the Command of the one of the principal suspects then the integrity of the evidence was in serious jeopardy. In other words, the prime suspects would have been handed the evidence which incriminated them in the crime,Marshon Lattimore Youth Jersey, to keep and preserve for a trial which could result in their conviction. In local terms, we are asking the cat to watch the milk and expect it to be there when we are ready for it.”Police officials have been mum on whether policemen who were at the scene handed over their weapons to ascertain which ranks fired the deadly volley. It is also unclear whether their hands were swabbed for traces of gunpowder, or whether Crime Scene ranks travelled to Linden to retrieve spent shells and other evidence.Hughes is concerned that some of the evidence might be compromised long before August 2, the date that a Commission of Inquiry is to be established to investigate the shootings.The AFC believes that a preliminary investigation with international participants should precede the Commission of Inquiry to which both A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Government have agreed. Hughes has already sought the services of an international forensics expert to assist on behalf of the families of the victims.Commissioner of Police (ag) Leroy Brumell told journalists yesterday that the post mortem examinations will be done today and that his ranks would contact relatives of the slain men. However,Gareon Conley Womens Jersey, up to 18:00 hrs yesterday relatives of the victims said that no one had contacted them.A retired police official had explained that while family members are allowed to view bodies for identification purposes, the pathologist decides who is allowed to view the post mortem.“If the services of international forensic experts were immediately engaged then the chances of a credible investigation would have been increased,” Hughes said in his statement.“Waiting until the victims have been buried, or worse, after the 2nd August 2012 to conduct any form of international forensic investigations is of marginal value.It is also an insult to the cries for justice by the families of the victims of the shooting.It is also an accepted scientific fact that the closer the recording of the statements of eye witnesses to an event the more likely the accuracy of their recollections. Attempting to take statements from eyewitnesses after they have discussed the incident with other persons who were present, is more likely to influence the accuracy of their recollection.“It is a fact that the further away from an incident one goes the more likely the chances are that the available evidence will be compromised.”According to Hughes,Antonio Garcia Youth Jersey, there has been “much talk” about the AFC’s position on making an international inquiry a precondition of any investigation into the shootings. According to the AFC member, some have seen the AFC’s stance as “one of grandstanding by the party and/or trying to outdo APNU in Linden.”Hughes stated that there are two aspects to any inquiry into the Linden tragedy.“First and foremost,Tre Davious White Jersey, there should be a credible, uncompromised, independent forensic investigation of the homicides.”According to Hughes, there is no suggestion that anybody other than the Guyana Police Force had fired weapons on Wednesday last,Daeshon Hal