Small DNA testing proves inconclusive

For a second time, DNA testing done on samples from a decomposed body, believed to be that of Shanika Small, has proved inconclusive. This was confirmed on Wednesday by Commissioner of Police Michael Charles.{{more}}

“The lab in Jamaica stated that there wasn’t enough specimen to make a determination on the testing,” Charles told SEARCHLIGHT.

According to the top cop, the news has already been related to Small’s mother, Sheryl Caesar Small, via her lawyer Joseph Delves.

Before this most recent result, Charles said Caesar-Small indicated that she wanted another test to be done at a lab in Canada, where she resides.

“We will just send samples of the remains to the lab, which she will say what it’s name is. We don’t know the name of the lab. We are working through her lawyer, so when he’s ready, he will contact me and that will be done,” Charles stated.

“We are actually finished with that, but once her lawyer is ready, we will be ready and willing to facilitate whatever they want.”

On October 30, 2011, a decomposed body was found in the Dauphine-Welcome area and was suspected of being that of Small, who had gone missing on October 21, 2011.

On September 4, 2012, then Commissioner of Police Keith Miller had stated that the results of tests conducted on DNA samples from the decomposed body found in the Dauphine were inconclusive.

In an e-mail sent to SEARCHLIGHT in January 2013, Caesar-Small said following the inconclusive result, she was then asked to provide a second sample.

“After much consideration, I send a second sample on October 2012, by express service to my lawyer, Mr Joseph Delves. He then forwarded the specimens immediately to Commissioner Miller.

“During recent conversations with the St Vincent Police in January 2013, I was informed the second sample is still held in St Vincent and they are awaiting word from Jamaica, when the sample can be sent off…. I was told the police has to follow policy and some three months later, the samples still remain in St Vincent,” the e-mail further read.

When contacted on Wednesday, Delves said Caesar-Small is frustrated with all that is happening.

“This is the second time the test has come back inconclusive. So naturally, she is extremely frustrated and distraught. The police take one sample, she waited a long time. There was a lot of bassa bassa with it, it comes back inconclusive. They take another sample and it is inconclusive,” he stated.

Delves said Caesar-Small has already decided on a course of action, but noted he had to discuss that action with her first.

He further noted that he will have discussions with her to hear what she wants to release publicly.

Before she went missing, Shanika was in training for the 2012 Miss SVG pageant.(KW)