Qld premier to make call on forensics lab

Robyn Wuth | June 3, 2022

The Queensland premier has flagged “a very big announcement” about the state government-run forensic lab, after widespread concerns were raised about the facility. 

Revelations of DNA-testing problems at the lab have prompted police to review sexual assault cases dating back to 2018. 

“We are very concerned with those new revelations, it changes everything,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Friday.

Authorities remain “deep in conversation” with nothing off the table to resolve the issue, the premier said. 

“In light of all those new revelations, you’ll see a very big announcement on Monday,” she said. 

Potential problems with the lab first came to light as a result of The Australian’s podcast series Shandee’s Story about the investigation into the 2013 death of Shandee Blackburn.

Queensland police are reviewing hundreds of sexual assault cases involving evidence reported as having ‘insufficient DNA for processing’.

“There have been a number of samples identified for further processing which have already been resubmitted to Queensland Health – this review is ongoing,” the QPS said in a statement. 

“The QPS has raised concerns in relation to this matter and are working with our external stakeholders to resolve these issues.”

The government has ordered a review into the systems and processes at the state-run Forensic DNA Analysis Unit, with the premier describing the investigation as a first step.

Specimens that fall below a certain level are reported as ‘no DNA detected’ or ‘DNA insufficient for further processing’, and the review will look at how Queensland compares to other jurisdictions.

Terms of reference for the government review were tabled in May and include investigating the appropriateness of threshold limits for DNA samples.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath conceded concerns continued to be raised around DNA testing and outcomes.

“I’m looking at the scope of the review and the form that it should take,” Ms D’Ath said. 

“All options are on the table as to how I broaden that view.”

She said the QPS was free to question forensic results and police had not previously raised testing concerns with the minister. 

“Once the initial testing is done and they get a finding of insufficient DNA, they can at any point ask for that more comprehensive testing to be done,” she said.

Shandee Blackburn, 23, was stabbed multiple times in a frenzied attack metres from her front door as she returned from a late shift at Harrup Park Country Club in Mackay, just after midnight on February 9, 2013.

A coronial investigation into her death will be reopened following a request by the state’s Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman.

Ms Fentiman asked for further consideration given “recent issues raised regarding the forensic evidence and testing of evidence in this case”, a Coroners Court of Queensland official said in February.