Michelle-Ann Letman, Staff Reporter

The family of 11-year-old Ananda Dean is growing impatient with the long wait for confirmation from the police on whether a body found in Belvedere, St Andrew, three weeks ago, is that of the little girl.

Richard Dean, father of the Swallowfield Primary and Junior High School sixth-grade student who went missing on September 17, told The Gleaner on Monday that he was tired of waiting and getting the runaround from the police.

'Fed up'

"Mi fed up. Three weeks now mi a hear next week and all now," he said. "They (the police) are dragging their feet."

Speaking with The Gleaner on Monday, deputy director at government forensic laboratory, Sherron Brydson, said the DNA testing delay was caused by the degree of decomposition of the body, which affected analysis.

Dean, although still unwilling to believe the body found was his daughter's, said other relatives were convinced it would have been her wish to proceed with the funeral arrangements.

Due process

Investigating officer in the case, Acting Deputy Superintendent Altamont Campbell, told The Gleaner he could understand the family's frustration. He, however, stressed that he had no control over the lengthy process involved in forensic testing.

"I know it is a long and painful process, but we cannot rush the experts," he said.

Campbell said he could not advise the family to go ahead with funeral arrangements without getting concrete evidence that the body was Ananda's.