Queensland’s embattled DNA lab boosted by senior recruits

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the government has lured three senior scientists with combined experience of more than 50 years to replenish the drastically understaffed team at the state’s DNA lab.

Queensland’s embattled forensic lab will be boosted by the recruitment of three senior scientists as the government begins drafting legislation to repair the state-run facility.

The state’s forensic service was plunged into scandal last year following revelations the lab had dismissed thousands of DNA samples from murder and rape crimes based on an arbitrary threshold for testing.

A high profile inquiry exposed major management failures which was undermined by a toxic workplace culture, with Commissioner Walter Sofronoff ordering the retesting of samples previously reported as being DNA insufficient.

The Courier-Mail revealed in June this included samples related to an astonishing 30,000 cases, which Forensic Science Queensland chief executive Dr Linzi Wilson-Wilde said would take years to sift through.

Following the inquiry, five scientists departed the lab including three senior figures who were exposed as major contributors to the disastrous decision to impose the testing regime.

But Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the government’s workforce incentive scheme had lured three senior scientists with combined experience of more than 50 years to replenish the drastically understaffed team.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman. Picture: Liam Kidston

She said the government had also begun drafting legislation to overhaul the governance structure of forensic testing in Queensland in response to a recommendation from the inquiry that urged the creation of an independent statutory agency to serve as a stand-alone body.

The recruits specialise in biology, crime scene investigation and human remains identification but the understaffed lab still requires dozens of scientists.

“Rebuilding Queensland’s DNA and forensic services to the highest standard is a complex and challenging task, but today’s announcements are a significant step towards achieving this goal,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The appointments of the three individuals speak to their desire to contribute toward our vision of delivering a DNA and forensic service that sets the benchmark for others to follow.

“As with any organisation, the success of Forensic Science Queensland will hinge significantly on building a team of respected and qualified experts in their fields.”

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said it was crucial the government restored confidence in Forensic Science Queensland but warned “it was never going to be a quick process”.

“But these new appointments show the Queensland government is making progress,” she said.

“The government has always said we would rebuild FSQ from the ground up and leave Queensland with a facility that was the envy of the world, and this is just the next step in achieving that goal.

“Work is well underway to draft the Forensic Science Queensland Bill, which will provide a statutory scaffold responsive to the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations.”