Queensland DNA lab at 'point of critical failure' with victims of crime waiting years for testing, report finds

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4 hours ago

Victims of serious crimes like rape and murder are waiting well over a year for vital DNA evidence in Queensland when it should take just 10 days, a damning new report has revealed.
An investigation into Queensland's beleaguered forensics lab has found it is at a "point of critical failure", leading to years-long delays in the justice system.
It follows two commissions of inquiry into Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ), which found evidence may have been compromised for criminal trials dating back to 2007 and potentially led to miscarriages of justice.
The report, led by Dr Kirsty Wright, found serious issues persisted despite those inquiries.
"Victims are waiting over a year for the rape kits to be tested. In other jurisdictions, that's taking five to 10 days, so you can see the chasm in the service that we need to rebuild."
More than 13,000 samples still need to be retested, which is expected to take two years to complete.
Cases in the magistrates' court relying on DNA evidence are being delayed by up to three years, the report found.
Recommendations from the first inquiry saw changes to the DNA testing method, but the report found this had been done incorrectly, noting a "poor quality culture".
"We've found systemic contamination. We've found shortcuts are being taken. We've found that the accreditation standards aren't being adhered to as well," Dr Wright said.
"Test methods are being used that haven't been properly tested. So we need to go back and examine that further to see how many cases in the last two-and-a-half years might have been compromised."
Dr Wright found testing was being done in a "dirty lab", resulting in environmental contamination on a weekly basis.
"There was evidence of this for at least a year, a year and a half."
The second six-week inquiry was launched in 2023, after lobbying from Dr Wright and the family of stabbed Mackay woman Shandee Blackburn, where DNA evidence was central to the case.
In a letter, Ms Blackburn's mother Vicki and sister Shannah said their trauma had been compounded following the revelations exposed in each inquiry.
"We hope no-one endures losing a beloved family member in the way we have. However, that is not a reality," they said.
An anonymous victim-survivor noted in a letter to the review that there had been no progress in the result from a rape kit she submitted in April 2024, and no information as to when it might be processed.
"The uncertainty — not knowing when or if justice will be done — prevents survivors from healing and moving forward," they said.
The report outlined the tangible impact of DNA processing delays on the courts.
On one occasion, a case went to trial without DNA evidence despite the prosecution pleading its relevance. In another, an alleged murderer, who was "considered a risk of reoffending", was released on bail due to delays in samples.
The government has appointed former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to head a new expert team to overhaul operations at the lab.
"I think it's disastrous. I'm not lost in terms of the challenges, but to be clear, I'm not here to do another review. I'm here to drive the recommendations," Mr Fuller said.
The review made 26 recommendations, which Dr Wright said would provide a "comprehensive blueprint" for change.
"This report isn't a box of Band-Aids. My team and I have looked thoroughly into what needs to be changed within the laboratory," she said.
"But also from the system, across the policing system and the DPP, how can the lab better serve the courts and the police?"
Former director of the facility, Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde, resigned last month following "contamination issues" being identified.
Dr Wright said she wasn't interested in the role and would continue assisting victims in other ways.
Premier David Crisafulli was pressed on whether anyone would be held responsible for failings at the lab.