Record stands tall as CMU’s first and only forensic science graduate

Amid the celebrations for the graduating class of the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) at last week’s ceremony, history was made quietly and largely unnoticed. It came in the form of a single graduate – one whose achievement carries with it the promise of progress for the administration of justice in Jamaica.

That graduate was Jamaela Record, a young woman from Clarendon. Almost six years earlier, in the summer of 2020, she had left Central High School in May Pen with 10 CXC subjects and four CAPE passes. She was 16.

Intrigued from an early age by the courtroom drama and forensic work portrayed in television programmes such as NCIS and Law and Order, she resolved to pursue a career in forensic science. In 2021, before her 17th birthday, she was accepted into CMU’s Bachelor of Science programme in forensic science.

Last Wednesday marked the culmination of that ambition. Yet, in a curious twist, Record walked across the stage alone. There were no classmates beside her – she was the programme’s sole graduate. As she collected her degree, her mother, Natoya Thomas, led the applause.

“This programme started out with six students in our batch, and as the years progressed, many fell out, so I was the only person to graduate from that programme,” she explained from her home in May Pen.

Far from being disheartened, she pressed on, supported by both parents and her two siblings – an older brother and a younger sister.

“I was really hoping that other students would have finished this programme and not just me,” she said. “But in the end, it didn’t really matter. I just continued doing what I had to do.”

“Everyone had their own personal challenges to navigate. Everyone’s journey is different, and life affects us in different ways. The programme was demanding, and as the years went by, some students may have found it difficult to keep up. My experience isn’t a reflection of anyone else’s abilities. It’s simply the path my journey took. Being the only graduate just means I had to push through my own challenges, and I’m grateful I made it to the finish line.”

The experience, she said, proved as formative as it was demanding.

“Since starting this degree, I’ve grown in ways I never expected, in which I tend to have to learn how to depend on myself since I didn’t have any upper-class man to guide me throughout the programme, and so forth. Being the first and only graduate gives me a strong sense of purpose that makes me more grounded and more determined. Once I believe in myself, anything is possible.”

Her own journey, however, nearly mirrored those of students who did not complete the course. She credits resilience, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to justice for carrying her through. She also pointed to faith and steadfast family support.

Daily travel compounded the strain. For much of her studies, Record commuted from May Pen to Kingston, leaving home before sunrise and returning late at night.

“It was a relief, to be honest, knowing I’ve come this far, because I used to travel a lot from Clarendon to Kingston. Sometimes I reach home late and then have to finish assignments and wake up early in the morning, so there were a lot of sleepless nights. I used to cry a lot, wondering, like, ‘Is this worth it, Jamaela?’ Like, ‘Should I keep going or not?’ So I would say it’s definitely a relief, crossing that stage on Wednesday.”

Classes ran daily and sometimes included Saturdays.

“A lot of classes were at UTech [University of Technology, Jamaica], so it’s from May Pen to Papine. I usually get up by five in the morning, leave out by six. Classes sometimes end at 9 p.m., and I would reach home about 11 p.m. sometimes.”

Now 21, Record is looking ahead to a career in the field she trained for.

“I would say I am fully prepared,” she said. “I hope my input will help uncover truth and also ensure that there is justice within the public’s eyes. I hope to approach every situation with a clear mind whenever I’m going over cases, and so forth.”

She is intent on securing a role that allows her to apply her training fully while contributing to public safety and national development. She also plans to pursue a master’s degree, aiming to broaden her expertise and leave a lasting imprint on Jamaica’s forensic and security landscape.

“I want to secure a role that allows me to fully apply my training, showcase my knowledge, and contribute meaningfully to public safety and national development,” she said.

carl.gilchrist@gleanerjm.com