Latest news with #justicefailure
The Guardian
04-08-2025
- The Guardian
Scandal-hit Queensland DNA lab repeats major testing error as rape victims wait over a year for results
Queensland's state forensic services laboratory has repeated an error which led to 'one of the greatest failures of a justice system in the world', affecting evidence in thousands of criminal cases including rapes and murders. The latest testing failure was revealed in a review into Forensic Services Queensland released on Monday, which also found that hundreds of rape victims were waiting 'over 12 months' for the lab to test rape kits, a process that should be completed 'ideally within five days'. In 2022, the first of two inquiries into Forensic Services Queensland found that the laboratory's threshold for testing was set too low, calling into question DNA evidence used in thousands of criminal cases, including for crimes such as rape and murder. Sign up: AU Breaking News email On 19 November last year, the laboratory implemented a new threshold for testing for DNA. But according to a review by forensic scientist Prof Kirsty Wright and former FBI expert Dr Bruce Budowle, tabled in parliament on Monday, the new limit was again incorrect. 'After introduction of the new DNA threshold, a Priority 1 crime scene sample from a violent unresolved crime was not fully tested because it fell below the threshold,' Wright's report found. '[Queensland police] requested for it to be fully tested, and it provided a usable DNA profile that assisted the investigation.' Priority 1 samples refer to evidence used in 'major crime cases', as opposed to 'volume crimes' like robbery. The report also recommended the lab immediately stop testing all rape kits, due to concerns over the reliability of its results. There were 511 untested rape kits in Queensland as of September 2024, it found. The report describes the mismanagement of the then Queensland Health laboratory between 2007 and 2023 as 'one of the greatest failures of a justice system in the world', judging that 'many thousands of victims had been denied justice, and the communities' trust in forensic DNA services lost'. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The review also found that the laboratory was 'a dirty lab' and was known to be contaminated. The state government announced it would appoint a new expert team to overhaul forensic services led by former New South Wales police commissioner Mick Fuller, with the ongoing involvement of the review's authors. More details soon … In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women's Aid. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines may be found via
News.com.au
04-08-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
‘Betrayal of victims': Report demands forensic reform
An independent forensic review has uncovered widespread failures in Queensland's DNA testing system, prompting the state government to announce a sweeping overhaul of Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ). The report, authored by forensic biologist Kirsty Wright, details extensive issues including unreliable results, long delays in testing, and contamination, problems that have significantly impacted police investigations, court proceedings, and victims of crime. The findings come after the state government commissioned the review in its first week in office, appointing Dr Wright and former FBI expert Bruce Budowle to assess testing services and reforms. According to the report: • FSQ has been providing unreliable DNA results to police and courts since early 2023 due to systemic contamination. • Delays in reporting DNA evidence have worsened, placing the justice system under 'critical system failure'. • The median turnaround time for DNA results in major crimes is 412 days, almost 400 days longer than what police require. • The backlog of untested rape kits increased from 75 in 2023 to 511 by September 2024, with some tests taking more than a year despite guidelines recommending completion within two to eight weeks. The government has responded by announcing the formation of an independent expert team, to be led by former NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller, with continued involvement from both Dr Wright and Dr Budowle. Premier David Crisafulli said the report 'exposes a harrowing chapter in Queensland's justice system'. 'We launched this review because Queenslanders deserve the truth and victims of crime deserve justice,' Mr Crisafulli said. 'This report shows what has occurred is nothing short of a betrayal of victims, but we are determined to rebuild confidence and restore integrity in the justice system.' Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said the report's findings 'rocked the foundations of our justice system'. 'Dr Wright's findings aren't just concerning, they're chilling, and I know this report will be very difficult reading for victims,' Ms Frecklington said. 'To restore safety where you live, we must resource our courts and police with evidence they need Ms Frecklington said she was confident trust in the DNA testing system could be rebuilt. In addition to launching the expert panel, the government has pledged $50m over two years to clear the DNA backlog by outsourcing samples for testing. A further $6m will go to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to help deliver faster outcomes in DNA-related matters. Dr Wright said she was committed to helping rebuild Queensland's forensic system. 'I have been determined to leave no stone unturned with my review, knowing that the failures that occurred under the former government have seen our criminal justice system compromised, trust in our forensic DNA services eroded, and too many victims denied justice,' Dr Wright said. Mr Fuller said he was prepared for the work ahead. 'I am under no illusions that there is significant road in front of us as we work through the very serious issues raised,' Mr Fuller said. 'It is a great privilege to be entrusted with such a transformative task.'
