The Queensland Government has released a second damning report into Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ) exposing further contamination issues and laboratory errors.
The report, by former FBI expert Dr Bruce Budowle, forms part of the major review that was launched by the Government in its first week in office, to deliver an extensive assessment of testing services and reforms at FSQ.
The Budowle Review has documented:
- A ‘troubling’ amount of environmental contamination within the laboratory along with sample contamination that, once raised by the Review Team, led to a full pause in routine testing at FSQ;
- Calculation errors with kinship and paternity testing dating back several years, with the errors never disclosed by the former Labor Government;
- Evidence from police that FSQ’s significant delays and backlogs are having a considerable negative impact on active investigations and public safety;
- A workplace culture at FSQ that appeared to the Review Team to be “quite toxic” with management at all levels appearing to operate in a “reactive, crisis management mode”.
Dr Budowle’s Review was undertaken alongside a review by esteemed forensic biologist Dr Kirsty Wright, which looked at separate but related terms of reference, and was released by the Government yesterday.
Dr Wright’s report made more damning findings about contamination, unreliable results, and testing delays that have had critical impacts on courts, police and victims awaiting justice.
The Government yesterday announced a new Expert Team – which will be led by former NSW Commissioner Mick Fuller – to overhaul forensic operations in Queensland.
It is also delivering $50 million over two years to address the DNA backlog by outsourcing thousands of DNA samples for testing, as well as bolstering the capacity of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with a $6 million investment to deliver Faster Justice for victims in Queensland.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, Deb Frecklington said it “was disgraceful that Labor had failed to address such serious concerns” with the laboratory during its time in Government.
“This review hasn’t just been about processes, it has also been about people, because every test that is run in a laboratory can mean a victim is a step closer to getting the justice they deserve,” the Attorney-General said.
“Dr Budowle’s report shows Queenslanders just how incompetent Labor was when it came to managing DNA testing, and we are now dealing with the consequences of their years of mismanagement and neglect.
“We will continue to deliver more resources to the courts and the police frontline to ensure we restore safety where you live by fixing Labor’s DNA Debacle.”
Dr Budowle said he believed the DNA Review would help deliver the reform that forensic science so desperately needed in Queensland.
“There is significant road ahead to address quality issues, clear the backlog of cases, and improve workplace culture,” Dr Budowle said.
“It was vital for these issues to be brought to light because forensic science is a critical part of any justice system that we must get right.
“I am confident that the recommendations my team has made can help rebuild FSQ into an organisation that Queenslanders can have confidence in, and a place where scientists want to work, and are proud to work.”
The reports are available to read on the Queensland Parliament website.
