Queensland DNA lab at ‘level of important failure’ with victims of crime ready years for testing, report finds

Victims of significant crimes like rape and homicide are ready properly over a 12 months for very important DNA proof in Queensland when it ought to take simply 10 days, a damning new report has revealed.

An investigation into Queensland’s beleaguered forensics lab has discovered it’s at a “point of critical failure”, resulting in years-long delays within the justice system.

It follows two commissions of inquiry into Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ), which discovered proof might have been compromised for felony trials relationship again to 2007 and probably led to miscarriages of justice.

The report, led by Dr Kirsty Wright, discovered severe points persevered regardless of these 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 nonetheless should be retested, which is anticipated to take two years to finish.

Cases within the magistrates’ courtroom counting on DNA proof are being delayed by as much as three years, the report discovered.

‘Systemic contamination’

Recommendations from the primary inquiry noticed adjustments to the DNA testing methodology, however the report discovered this had been accomplished 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 mentioned.

“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 discovered testing was being accomplished in a “dirty lab”, leading to environmental contamination on a weekly foundation.

“There was evidence of this for at least a year, a year-and-a-half.”

Trauma of delays

A second six-week inquiry was launched in 2023, after lobbying from Dr Wright and the household of Mackay lady Shandee Blackburn, who was murdered. DNA proof was central to the case.

In a letter, Ms Blackburn’s mom Vicki and sister Shannah mentioned their trauma had been compounded following the revelations uncovered in every inquiry.

“We hope no-one endures losing a beloved family member in the way we have. However, that is not a reality,” they mentioned.

An nameless victim-survivor famous in a letter to the evaluate that there had been no progress within the end result from a rape package they submitted in April 2024, and no data as to when it could be processed.

“The uncertainty — not knowing when or if justice will be done — prevents survivors from healing and moving forward,” they mentioned. 

The report outlined the tangible influence of DNA processing delays on the courts.

On one event, a case went to trial with out DNA proof regardless of the prosecution pleading its relevance. In one other, an alleged assassin, who was “considered a risk of reoffending”, was launched on bail as a result of delays in samples.

Delays improve ‘strain’ on victims

The Queensland Sexual Assault Network’s government officer Angela Lynch mentioned solely eight per cent of girls reported an incident of sexual violence, nonetheless the true variety of victims was estimated to be a lot greater.

“Any kind of delay can increase the pressure on victims and increase the risk they may withdraw because they can’t handle the length of time that it takes to get through the entire process,” she mentioned.

Ms Lynch mentioned sexual violence offences had been the best reported crime in Queensland during the last 20 years, and he or she was involved it was on the rise.

“That’s because of several factors including the use of AI and technology in sexual violence, increased predatory behaviour, and high harm individuals causing a high level of harm to numerous individuals.

New group to drive change

The government has appointed former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to head a new expert team to overhaul operations at the lab.

“I believe it is disastrous. I’m not misplaced when it comes to the challenges, however to be clear, I’m not right here to do one other evaluate. I’m right here to drive the suggestions,” Mr Fuller mentioned.

The review made 26 recommendations, which Dr Wright said would provide a “complete blueprint” for change.

“This report is not a field of Band-Aids. My group and I’ve regarded totally into what must be modified inside the laboratory,” she mentioned.

“But additionally from the system, throughout the policing system and the DPP, how can the lab higher serve the courts and the police?”

Former director of the facility, Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde, resigned last month following “contamination points” 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 or not anybody could be held answerable for failings on the lab.

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