‘Betrayal of victims': Report demands forensic reform
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
11 minutes ago
- ABC News
Broome man declared unfit for trial on murder charge due to mental impairment
A West Australian man alleged to have stabbed his foster brother to death in the tourist town of Broome will not stand trial after a Supreme Court justice found he was unfit to do so. Ian Ralph Brooke, 23, was charged with murder after the death of a man at a Roe Place address in November 2023 and has been remanded in custody since. A 27-year-old man was found with critical stab wounds and died at the scene, with the WA homicide squad leading the police investigation. On July 30 this year, a WA Supreme Court hearing took place in Perth before Justice Amanda Forrester where Mr Brooke's fitness to stand trial was assessed. The court heard Mr Brooke had "a lot of anger and a grudge" against his foster brother since the pair were children. Justice Forrester said on the day of the man's death, it was alleged Mr Brooke assaulted the man with a crowbar before stabbing him multiple times with a knife. The court heard evidence from two psychologists who had interviewed the then-23-year-old in custody. The psychologists both asserted that Mr Brooke had a mental impairment and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which would prohibit his ability to participate in a trial. Justice Forrester said she was satisfied under the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023 that he was unfit to stand trial. The act states nine reasons a person would be unfit to face trial, with five of those reasons applying to Mr Brooke. He was deemed unable to give instructions to a legal practitioner, follow the course of a trial, understand evidence, decide whether to give evidence, or be able to defend the charge. Justice Forrester said Mr Brooke's intellectual disability was permanent, meaning there was "no prospect" he would become fit to stand trial in the future. Justice Forrester said a special proceeding would take place to move the matter forward. This proceeding, which would operate as if Mr Brooke had pleaded not guilty, would decide a guilty or not guilty verdict based on the evidence available. Possible outcomes include the accused being released unconditionally, a community supervision order being made, or a custody order being enforced. Mr Brooke was remanded in custody until his next court date in September.
ABC News
11 minutes ago
- ABC News
Australia picks Japan to build $10b frigates after fierce contest
Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has won a tight contest to build the Australian navy's new $10 billion fleet of warships, beating a bid from German rival ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The ABC has confirmed that cabinet last night selected Japan's upgraded Mogami frigate over the German MEKO A-200. The first three of the frigates are expected to be built in Japan, with the remaining seven to be built in Western Australia. It is a major victory for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and for Japan, which has thrown substantial political resources into securing the bid. The decision is also a vote of confidence in MHI, which has never built warships overseas before. Close observers of the contest say that while Japan's bid was more expensive, the Mogami frigate boasts more firepower and requires a smaller crew. Japan has also said that Australia could receive the first of the upgraded warships ahead of its own navy — which the ABC has been told helped to tip the contest in its favour. While the government insists it was making the decision on capability alone, Japan has leaned heavily on the blossoming strategic and defence relationship between the two countries as it lobbied for the contract. The United States is also believed to have backed Japan's bid. The government and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will now begin negotiations on the contract, and will aim to finalise it this year. Defence Minister Richard Marles is expected to formally announce the decision shortly.
ABC News
11 minutes ago
- ABC News
PM speaks with Palestinian Authority leader, as pressure over recognition continues
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held a phone call with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for one of the first times since the conflict in Gaza began. The pair have not formally spoken since November 2023, just a month after the terror attack by Hamas. According to a readout of the call, Mr Abbas told Mr Albanese that Australia could play an "important role" in achieving peace by moving to recognise Palestine. Mr Albanese is under pressure to detail when Australia will move to recognise the state of Palestine, something his ministers say is a matter of "when, not if" but which the prime minister says he would only do if the move was effective. On ABC Radio National, Foreign Minister Penny Wong this morning expressed her fear that "there will be no Palestine left" if recognition did not come soon. "There is a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognise if the international community don't move to create that pathway to a two-state solution," Senator Wong said. Last week France, the United Kingdom and Canada all announced they would move to recognise a Palestinian state at the next United Nations General Assembly in September, under conditions including that Hamas plays no role in its governing. In his call with Mr Abbas, Mr Albanese repeated Australia's commitment to a two-state solution but did not detail timing, according to a readout of the call. Mr Abbas praised Australia's "positive approach to recognising the state of Palestine" and emphasised "the important role" Australia can play in achieving peace and stability in the region, according to a readout from the Palestinian Authority. He also thanked Australia for its humanitarian commitments to Gaza, which include a recent $20 million increase in support to organisations delivering food and medical supplies into the strip. The Palestinian Authority exercises partial control over the occupied West Bank, and controlled Gaza until 2006 when rival political party Hamas triumphed in elections that year. The government is also seeking a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which Senator Wong confirmed this morning had not yet been held.
