Qld DNA lab boss Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde resigns from post, effective immediately

Queensland’s embattled DNA lab has suffered another blow with its director quitting exactly four weeks after she was suspended by the government.

Former Forensic Science Queensland CEO Linzi Wilson-Wilde. Picture: Liam Kidston

• Qld’s ‘fatally flawed’ DNA lab

Linzi Wilson-Wilde has resigned as director of Forensic Science Queensland exactly one month after she was suspended and a show cause notice issued for her removal.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington on Friday revealed Dr Wilson-Wilde resigned from her position, effective immediately.

Forensic Biology Executive Manager Natasha Mitchell will remain acting in the director role until a permanent appointment is made, Ms Frecklington said.

“The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland,” she said.

Dr Wilson-Wilde’s resignation comes exactly four weeks after she was suspended by Ms Frecklington amid revelations the embattled DNA lab had paused routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified.

The extent of the contamination was not clear, but it is understood the issue may have been ongoing for some time.

The former Labor government appointed Dr Wilson-Wilde director in September and hailed her as “one of the leading forensic scientists in Australia and New Zealand”.

Linzi Wilson-Wilde leaves after giving evidence on Project 13 at the DNA inquiry. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Her suspension was another major blow to the lab as a second review, led by forensic scientist Kirsty Wright and former Federal Bureau of Investigation expert Bruce Budowle, examines the progress of reviewing more than 40,000 major crime cases.

In May the government announced a $50m package to send DNA samples from rape kits, most major crime cases and unidentified human remains overseas to help tackle the state’s DNA backlog.

The two-year program will focus on clearing a backlog of more than 2300 DNA samples in Queensland’s state-run forensic laboratories.

It is currently taking 445 days, or 63 weeks, for major crime samples to be processed and returned.

Ms Frecklington last month said outsourcing was the next necessary step to “clean up … one of the greatest failures of a justice system anywhere in the world”.