GCC officially opens crime lab building annex

Department of Interior’s assistant secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor, Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero, and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio join Guam Community College president Dr. Mary A. Y. Okada and other dignitaries to cut the ribbon to signal the opening the Gregorio G. Perez Crime Lab Building Annex last on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in Guam. (GCC)

The Guam Community College cut the ribbon to signal the opening the Gregorio G. Perez Crime Lab Building Annex last on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in an event that was attended by the Department of Interior’s assistant secretary for Insular and International Affairs, Carmen G. Cantor.

The long-awaited crime lab annex features a 4,915-square-foot laboratory; 1,945 square feet of administrative spaces to include a Combined DNA Index room and a case room; additionally, it also has 1, 980 square feet of educational areas for GCC’s Criminal Justice program.

Years ago, GCC joined forces with the Friends of the Crime Lab to host the Regional Forensic Science Symposium, which later led to a second symposium a year later. “It was quite successful and brought focus to the island and the work that law enforcement personnel shared from across our region. What was important then is just as important now,” said GCC president Dr. Mary A. Y. Okada.

With the support of DOI, GCC launched the design of the laboratory, which included DNA and toxicology facilities for the Guam Police Department, along with classrooms and faculty offices for GCC.

“Our first partnership was with the Governor’s Office and the Department of the Interior. It was back in 2009 when GCC applied for the technical assistance grant to support the First Regional Forensic Science Symposium,” Okada stated. “It was from this symposium that interest grew in higher education courses in the forensic sciences. Shortly thereafter, GCC secured the Architectural & Engineering funding in 2010.”

GCC worked with GPD on the specifications for the lab and this was completed in 2012. After this step, Okada gained full support of the GCC board of trustees and the foundation board of governors. “I am forever grateful to the GCC team for thinking this all through and providing the comprehensive guidance to garner their support,” Okada added.

The addition of a DNA Forensic Lab should significantly increase the ability of local law enforcement to analyze crime scene evidence on-island. The facility will also support GCC’s Associates of Science in Criminal Justice programs for Forensic Computer Examiners and Forensic Lab Technicians.
Funding for the design of the GCC DNA Forensic Lab was provided through a DOI grant of $365,653. Construction of the facility is funded through a $5 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that also funded the renovation of Building 100, which is now part of Building E.

“I truly believe that given the track record for the college, we were able to demonstrate our commitment and ability to see this through,” said Okada.

The single-story facility includes:

• 4,915 square foot laboratory including a secure receiving room, Alternate Light Source lab, Biology Exam lab, Post Amp lab, Bio-vestibule, Pre Amp lab, Reagent room, lab storage, refrigerator storage and an evidence storage room);
• 1,945 square foot administration area that includes two offices, a Combined DNA Index room, a library, and case room; and
• An additional 1,980 square foot educational area (2 classrooms, 2 offices) will be used for the Guam Community College Criminal Justice program.

Okada was appreciative of GCC’s partners in the project: The Friends of the Crime Lab, DOI, USDA, GPD, Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, senators, and Taniguchi Ruth Makio Architects.

Construction of the Gregorio G. Perez Crime Lab Annex project broke ground on Oct. 4, 2019. It is designed to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certified.