Lab boss suspended in latest DNA contamination scandal
The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling.
It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday.
"This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said.
The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps.
Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said.
Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007.
Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found.
The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab.
More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May.
Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive.
Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time.
Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal.
"I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said.
The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling.
It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday.
"This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said.
The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps.
Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said.
Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007.
Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found.
The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab.
More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May.
Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive.
Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time.
Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal.
"I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said.
The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling.
It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday.
"This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said.
The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps.
Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said.
Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007.
Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found.
The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab.
More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May.
Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive.
Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time.
Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal.
"I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said.
The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling.
It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday.
"This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said.
The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps.
Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said.
Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007.
Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found.
The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab.
More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May.
Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive.
Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time.
Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal.
"I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said.
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The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Lab boss suspended in latest DNA contamination scandal
The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said. The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said. The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said. The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said.
News.com.au
12 hours ago
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Queensland's forensic boss has been suspended over allegations DNA testing was contaminated
Queensland's top forensic scientist Linzi Wilson-Wilde has been immediately suspended over fears DNA tests have been contaminated. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington issued a statement late on Friday following advice she received that Forensic Science Queensland had paused testing after contamination issues were identified. 'I moved to immediately suspend, pending a show cause notice for removal, the Director of Forensic Science Queensland,' Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The organisation supports criminal and coronial investigations with forensic biology and chemistry services. Ms Frecklington said the forensic lab would pause operations for seven days, then carry out a review to determine the next steps. She said the government has been advised Forensic Science Queensland would still process urgent matters using appropriate controls.
Perth Now
12 hours ago
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Lab boss suspended in latest DNA contamination scandal
The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said.
