Having been reinstated as director-general of the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS), Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan is looking forward to the challenge. Speaking to KING-OUA LAOHONG, she talks about her time in the South, and on how she can help improve the justice system.
Porntip: Has seen many changes
What did soldiers in the far South think of forensic work over the past year?
After I was appointed an inspector-general, the institute faced some setbacks. Forensic experts were told not to send DNA results to soldiers (in charge of security units) while teams of forensic science officers were relieved of their responsibilities in the deep South.
The fact is these officials need to work closely with soldiers. When officers detain insurgent suspects and call in relatives for questioning, forensic experts provide help by collecting DNA samples and analysing them to ensure fairness for both suspects and victims.
This is important. Their work concerns security issues and in many cases, wrongdoers are never identified, mainly due to difficulties in finding eye-witnesses.
What changes did you see (in forensic work)?
There are many things. Soldiers did not have forensic information. More security-related cases were dropped by the courts.
Civilians, meanwhile, feel paranoid and fearful that violence might return. Before my transfer, forensic science was supported by villagers. But today they fear they will fall victim to arbitrary arrests.
This is because police work mainly focuses on crime suppression, inspection. It does not seek ways to analyse and link all the data involving suspects together. Without this, they cannot identify wrongdoers accurately.
Have you a special mission this time around?
I asked assistant army chief Paiboon Khumchaya, who oversees legal and judicial affairs for the NCPO, that same question and his reply was that Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the council chief, did not issue a special order. He said the NCPO chief wants to see a proposal on ways to ensure people have equal access to the justice system.
I think I first have to deal with problems within the institute by making sure it acts in a transparent, sincere manner and in support of human rights. National human rights commissioner Niran Phitakwatchara has also asked me to look into the disappearance of Karen activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen.
I will also ask the NCPO about the institute’s future. Reports are saying it is at odds with the police and may be dissolved after my retirement.
After national reform, I am optimistic the institute will work under a security agency. As for the police’s Institute of Forensic Medicine, they should undergo changes too. There are no forensic agencies run by the police in other countries.
How has the NCPO affected the work of state officials?
A power seizure, in principle, is not something people agree with.
However, politicians never proved they had good governance at heart or acted on it. Many interfered with officials’ work, while some officials opted to serve these politicians.
If the NCPO sticks to its guns and is serious about national reform, our country will change for the better.