Calls for independent inquiry into Queensland forensic lab as DNA testing failures prompt criminal cases to be reviewed
2 years, 9 months ago

Calls for independent inquiry into Queensland forensic lab as DNA testing failures prompt criminal cases to be reviewed

ABC  

A government review into DNA testing at a state-run forensics laboratory has been labelled "manifestly inadequate" by a former employee after Queensland police revealed they were re-examining cases dating back to the start of 2018. Key points: Queensland Health's internal review into the lab's testing has been described as "manifestly inadequate" Forensic biologist Dr Kirsty Wright says further testing on criminal cases that didn't have enough DNA evidence could lead to crimes being solved When asked about an independent inquiry, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said "nothing is off the table" Forensic biologist Dr Kirsty Wright said there were potentially thousands of cases in question going back 10 years after anomalies were found in DNA results from the Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services lab. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has taken the issue seriously and had commissioned an independent review into Queensland Health's forensic DNA analysis service. However, a Queensland Health spokesperson said an independent review of the Forensic DNA Analysis Unit had been announced which would "include DNA testing thresholds and the appropriateness of these thresholds".

Independent Cases Inquiry Testing Review Dna Queensland Dna Testing Lab Queensland Police Queensland Health Dr Kirsty Wright Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk Independent Inquiry Health Forensic  dna  queensland  failures  lab  inquiry  cases  review  health  forensic  reviewed  testing  prompt  independent

History of this topic

Second inquiry into Queensland forensic DNA lab finds Project 13 was 'fundamentally flawed'
1 year, 4 months ago

Second inquiry into Queensland forensic DNA lab finds Project 13 was 'fundamentally flawed'

ABC  

A report into practices at Queensland's trouble-plagued forensics lab has found a controversial DNA method was fundamentally flawed and may have resulted in offenders escaping conviction over a period of nine years. Key points: Findings from a second report into Queensland's state-run DNA lab have been revealed Up to 103,000 samples may be retested at the discretion of police and …

Forensic and Scientific Services facing second commission of inquiry in 17 months as automated DNA extraction method questioned
1 year, 4 months ago

Forensic and Scientific Services facing second commission of inquiry in 17 months as automated DNA extraction method questioned

ABC  

Scientists persisted with an automated extraction method despite concerns it yielded 90 per cent less DNA, a commission into a state-run lab has heard. Key points: An inquiry is looking at Forensic and Scientific Services' move from a manual to automated system The two methods yield a difference of more than 90 per cent of DNA extracted Scientists have told …

Second inquiry launched into Queensland forensic lab amid ongoing concerns over Project 13
1 year, 5 months ago

Second inquiry launched into Queensland forensic lab amid ongoing concerns over Project 13

ABC  

A fresh inquiry will be launched into Queensland's forensic DNA lab to investigate concerns about an automated DNA extraction method, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has announced. Key points: The new inquiry will investigate concerns relating to Project 13 It will begin today and will run for six weeks Former federal court judge and scientist Dr Annabelle Bennett will lead the …

Queensland's forensic DNA lab inquiry finds 'serious' failures reduced prospect of conviction, thousands of samples may be retested
2 years, 3 months ago

Queensland's forensic DNA lab inquiry finds 'serious' failures reduced prospect of conviction, thousands of samples may be retested

ABC  

A report into forensic DNA testing in Queensland has found "serious" failures at a state-run lab, caused by a series of factors including "mismanagement" and "dishonesty by senior managers". Key points: Commissioner Walter Sofronoff said the number of criminal cases impacted by "grave maladministration" at the lab "cannot be quantified" Failures include a culture that was "ineffective at allowing scientific …

Inquiry into Queensland's forensic DNA lab that unearthed 'bin-gate', leadership failures and a 'toxic' workplace resumes today
2 years, 3 months ago

Inquiry into Queensland's forensic DNA lab that unearthed 'bin-gate', leadership failures and a 'toxic' workplace resumes today

ABC  

An inquiry into Queensland's forensic DNA lab that has so far revealed details of document shredding, leadership failures and a toxic work environment is due to kick-off again today. The Commission of Inquiry into Queensland's forensic DNA lab will resume public hearings for two more days, with its final report due within weeks. Scientists said they raised concerns about testing …

Acting head of Queensland forensics lab says she had no experience in DNA profiling, did not understand 'urgent' police concerns
2 years, 4 months ago

Acting head of Queensland forensics lab says she had no experience in DNA profiling, did not understand 'urgent' police concerns

ABC  

A senior Queensland Health manager was warned by a forensic scientist in a private meeting that it was "possible criminals are getting off scot-free in Queensland", an inquiry into DNA testing has heard. Key points: Lara Keller said she first became aware of problems with DNA testing of major crime scene samples in December last year when she was copied …

Inquiry reveals alarm among scientists over Queensland forensics lab's new DNA procedure
2 years, 5 months ago

Inquiry reveals alarm among scientists over Queensland forensics lab's new DNA procedure

ABC  

Multiple scientists at Queensland's state-run forensics laboratory have detailed their alarm and confusion over a DNA testing procedure, which was introduced after major concerns were raised about the previous process. Key points: The new process was introduced to replace the contentious testing threshold, which initially sparked the inquiry The hearings heard the change made "no scientific sense" and scientists are …

Quality manager at Queensland forensic labs not consulted over change in DNA testing protocols, inquiry hears
2 years, 5 months ago

Quality manager at Queensland forensic labs not consulted over change in DNA testing protocols, inquiry hears

ABC  

A woman overseeing quality management at Queensland's forensic laboratories was never asked for her advice over a controversial change in DNA testing protocols that may have prevented crimes from being solved, an inquiry has been told. Key points: Queensland Health quality manager Helen Gregg says she only became aware of the change this year Acting director-general Shaun Drummond says he …

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk 'shocked' by interim findings of inquiry into Queensland's state-run forensic testing lab
2 years, 6 months ago

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk 'shocked' by interim findings of inquiry into Queensland's state-run forensic testing lab

ABC  

Queensland authorities are set to review every DNA sample connected to a major crime since early 2018 where testing showed insufficient or no DNA after a report found there was a potential for the miscarriage of justice. Key points: Thousands of cases could potentially be investigated where DNA samples had not met the lab's testing thresholds Public hearings for the …

There will be an inquiry into Queensland's state-run forensic testing lab. Here's what the outcomes could be
2 years, 9 months ago

There will be an inquiry into Queensland's state-run forensic testing lab. Here's what the outcomes could be

ABC  

After mounting concerns about DNA testing at the state-run forensics lab, the Queensland government has announced a commission of inquiry. But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said revelations last week about police concerns about DNA testing thresholds "changed everything", prompting the need for a full commission of inquiry. The submission from police revealed that not all samples were being fully tested at …

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