FUNAFUTI (Pacnews) — The Tuvalu police force is lacking the expertise to tackle investigation work requiring specialized skills.
The problem was highlighted last year by the case of an Australian woman who was severely beaten and gang raped here in the capital Funafuti early last year.
Commissioner of Police Uili Telavi said the lack of forensic experts to deal with the case is causing delays with the investigation.
He said two forensic experts from the Australian police force sent in last year to investigate the case found the evidence was either tampered with or destroyed.
Telavi admitted the case has remained unresolved since and has not even proceeded to court for prosecution because of the lack of evidence.
The woman, who was in the country as part of the Australian Volunteers program, was allegedly raped by at least three men.
