THE Royal Falkland Islands Police today released a statement giving details of the ongoing investigation into damage to a cabinet housing the statue of the Virgin of Lujan at the Argentine Cemetery near Darwin.  The Police received a report of the damage on Saturday July 28, 2012.  Shortly afterwards it was announced that a full investigation had  commenced.

Left: one of two photographs released by the police

In the statement released today the RFIP noted: Royal Falkland Islands Police Crime Scene Investigators photographed and examined the scene. They found that the toughened glass panel forming the door and front of the cabinet had been damaged, by blows from a blunt instrument.  The toughened glass withstood a quantity of blows to its upper and central area, however it was eventually compromised toward its lower right corner in an area above a vase of flowers within the cabinet.  A hole had been made in the glass in this area by means of concentrated blows with the blunt instrument.

The statue and all other contents of the cabinet were unmoved, undamaged and had not been subject to any force.  Investigations show that nothing had been removed from within the cabinet.

The investigators found that a Bible, wrapped in a clear 'ziplock' plastic bag and sealed with white electrical tape, had been placed in the cabinet through the hole in the toughened glass and laid on top of the flowers that occupied the vase in the lower right hand corner of the cabinet.  The bible had been sealed in the bag with its front cover folded open revealing a hand written inscription in Spanish.  Translated the inscription reads; "For those combatants who, with great bravery, shared their hearts with my family.  And just as it was for me, I hope it is a blessing and keeps you company."  The inscription was signed Viviana and dated.

Investigations show that this bible had previously been left outside and in front of the cabinet, protected from the weather by the plastic bag and electrical tape seal.  These items are to be subject of forensic examination in a United Kingdom Forensic Laboratory.

Two photographs from the crime were released by the Royal Falkland Islands Police.