Boss of troubled DNA lab resigns after being suspended
Fraser Barton |
The boss of a troubled forensic testing lab has resigned a month after being suspended over “contamination issues”.
Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde received a show cause notice for her removal by the Liberal National government in June following another setback.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington made the call after learning the beleaguered lab had paused routine DNA testing for seven days following the discovery of “contamination issues”.
Ms Frecklington on Friday announced Dr Wilson-Wilde had resigned from her position effective immediately.
She said Forensic Biology Executive Manager Natasha Mitchell would continue acting in the director role until a permanent appointment was made.
“The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland,” Ms Frecklington said in a statement.
The LNP government did not disclose the nature of the contamination issues but routine DNA testing has since resumed.
Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 after two inquiries exposed major failings over a number of years at the lab.
They included a “fundamentally flawed” automated testing method that may have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007.
Dr Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September 2024 after serving as interim chief executive.
She received the role from the former Labor government prior to it entering caretaker mode before the 2024 state election.
The LNP government chose Dr Kirsty Wright to oversee forensic lab reforms when it won the October 2024 election.
The LNP launched reforms after it emerged more than 40,000 of the state’s most serious cases were “under a forensic cloud” following the back-to-back inquiries.
It moved amendments in parliament in April to ensure current DNA sample retention was extended from three to seven years to tackle the retesting backlog, which may take years.
It was a recommendation of Dr Wright, who will oversee a DNA Lab Review and hand down recommendations with renowned FBI expert Bruce Budowle.
Forensic scientist Dr Wright spoke out about the lab, triggering the two inquiries held in as many years.
AAP
