Push for independent body to review cases linked to state-run DNA lab inquiry
There are calls for an independent body to review thousands of Queensland’s criminal cases in the wake of a damming inquiry into the state-run forensics lab.
It follows revelations the lab changed the DNA testing threshold back in 2018.
The final report from retired judge Walter Sofronoff into Queensland Health’s Forensic and Scientific Services lab will be handed down by next Tuesday.
It could mean the lab will need to reassess potentially thousands of samples, including for serious cases of crime such as murder and rapes.
Forensic scientist Dr Kirsty Wright is calling for an independent commission.
“It’s very clear with the findings of the inquiry that there’s definitely tens of thousands of samples from very serious crimes, rapes and murders that should have been tested, but weren’t,” she told Neil Breen.
“There’s never been anything like this seen before, there’s no playbook on how to address this, it’s going to take many years, it’s going to be very complex and it’s going to require independent scientists, investigators and lawyers.”
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