Former NSW Police Commissioner, Mick Fuller AO APM, has today been named as the new Director of Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ), following the departure of Linzi Wilson-Wilde, who resigned in July, one month after being suspended.
Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, Deb Frecklington said Mr Fuller had the experience to lead FSQ and restore confidence to victims “after Labor’s systemic crisis”.
“I congratulate Director Fuller on his appointment and have every confidence he will rebuild FSQ after the chaos left behind by Labor,” the Attorney-General said.
“Director Fuller’s vast experience shows he has the leadership skills required to deliver hands-on reform and oversee cultural changes desperately needed at FSQ.”
As the NSW Police Commissioner from 2017 to 2022, Mr Fuller had ultimate leadership responsibility for the provision of forensic services in NSW through the Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command.
In 2023, he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to Law Enforcement and will bring 34 years of criminal justice system experience to the role.
Minister Frecklington said Mr Fuller had already made a valuable contribution towards clearing the state’s DNA backlog at the FSQ laboratory through his recent appointment as part of the DNA Review Expert Team.
The Attorney-General and Director Fuller will travel to the United States next week to meet with Bode Technology, the laboratory chosen for the Government’s $50 million outsourcing program. Bode Technology will have the capacity to test and process 1,000 major crime samples and 175 forensic medical examination kits per month to clear the state’s DNA backlog.
“The former Labor Government’s DNA Debacle is one of the greatest failures of justice in the world, with tens of thousands of victims of crime denied justice and left waiting under a forensic cloud,” said Ms Frecklington.
They will also visit several leading American forensic facilities to examine best practice operations for criminal DNA testing.
Mr Fuller said he was honoured to take on the role.
“It’s a great privilege to be taking on this challenge to help restore FSQ’s reputation and support the thousands of victims awaiting justice,” he said.
“Throughout my career I have witnessed how vital forensic science is for holding criminals to account and I’m under no illusion how challenging it will be to clear FSQ’s existing backlogs.
“I’ll be focused on re-shaping the organisation and very much look forward to working with the Expert Team to deliver important scientific reforms.”
