Queensland’s forensic testing services are under “incredible pressure” with a backlog of more than 10,000 cases awaiting DNA testing, the health minister says.
Key points:
- Queensland is seeking help to wade through the backlog
- 630 witness statements presented to the 2022 inquiry out of 1,260 cases have been rectified
- A global shortage of forensic staff is contributing to the delay
Yvette D’Ath said the state was dealing with a high testing load which included more than 10,000 “business as usual” cases in addition to thousands of historic cases requiring further testing after a recent Commission of Inquiry.
The inquiry, led by former judge Walter Sofronoff, laid bare a litany of failures at the Queensland Forensic and Scientific Services (FSS) lab, finding managers focused on speed rather than accuracy in DNA testing.
It included the review of thousands of Queensland crimes, including murder and sexual assault cases, dating back to 2008.
Ms D’Ath said the state had enlisted federal and international jurisdictions to help with the backlog.
“Those historic cases are being dealt with separately and are being prioritised based on those relating to cases already before the courts and the urgency of those,” she said.
“We do also have a backlog in relation to just the normal evidence that is coming through the doors of forensic services every week.
“That is due to a range of reasons including shortages of scientists but also because we did lose staff from the Commission of Inquiry and we have to rebuild our processes.
“We also had to reset how we test, so taking on board the recommendations around changing the way samples are tested and analysed means we have to fundamentally change the practices in that space.”
Ms D’Ath said Queensland Health was working with the Australian Federal Police for help with bone sampling testing and advanced testing analysis was being provided by New Zealand.
The state government is also speaking with experts in the United Kingdom to help with retesting.
Two out of the three staff members working at the lab who were suspended, and had to show cause after the damning inquiry, are no longer working for Queensland Health.
The state has also been working to correct false court statements provided in cases over the years which said there was no or insufficient DNA detected, but the inquiry found further testing could have provided a result.
About 630 witness statements out of 1,260 cases have been rectified.
Ms D’Ath said Queensland Health was also trying to recruit dozens of new staff members in the forensic sector amid a global shortage of workers in the specialised field.
“We’ve got recruitment right now for 40 new staff, 30 of them will be scientists,” she said.
“We know that there is a global shortage in this forensic space but we are hoping we can attract the staff we need.”