Friends and family mourna victim at a crime scene. - File

Today, The Gleaner, in supporting the efforts of Minister of National Security, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, and Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Stewart Saunders, takes another look at crime, how it affects the society and methods of tackling the issue.

THE WORST fears of the family of Ananda Dean were yesterday confirmed by the police, after a month of speculation that a body found in Belvedere, St Andrew, was that of their loved one.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields made the announcement during a press conference held yesterday at the NCB Towers in New Kingston.

While it is now certain the body located on Sunday, September 28, is that of Ananda, hundreds of other children remain missing, the likely victims of criminal acts.

Yesterday, a policeman was charged with carnal abuse, indecent assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with the abduction of 14-year-old Jhaneel Goulbourne. Goulbourne was taken from her home in Harbour View, eastern Kingston, last Friday. The police are appealing to the public for information that could assist in locating her.

Confirmation delayed

Dean, an 11-year-old sixth-grade student of Swallowfield Primary and Junior High School, was reported missing by her aunt on September 17.

The degree of decomposition of the body delayed the confirmation, which was frustrating for family members.

At the crime scene that Sunday evening, a relative was already convinced that the body was that of the young girl. She identified a shoe and clothes as belonging to Ananda.

Saunders

Lewin

MacMillan - File Photos