DNA manager denies plans to reduce test workloads on serious crime had desired outcome

Queensland’s DNA testing bungle inquiry heard startling evidence that police had requested a “pause” on testing of low-level samples over concerns evidence from serious crimes could be lost through the process.

A senior scientist has been grilled over whether plans to reduce the DNA testing workload for serious crimes were hidden from the rest of the management team because it was likely they would not have agreed to the change.

Forensic Scientific Services team leader Paula Brisotto endured an uncomfortable grilling at the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland yesterday, repeatedly stating that she didn’t remember what she was thinking when consulted on plans to change testing procedures.

The inquiry is examining a decision made in 2018 to adopt an unusually high DNA testing threshold at Queensland’s state-run laboratory, leading to reduced workloads but the dismissal of thousands of pieces of evidence from serious crimes like murder and rape.

Counsel assisting the inquiry, Michael Hodge KC, put to Ms Brisotto that she, along with the lab’s managing scientist Catherine Allen and team manager Justin Howes, became aware that the rest of the management team was not willing to sign off on a proposal to change DNA testing procedures.

Forensic Scientific Services team leader Paula Brisotto leaves Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/John Gass

Mr Hodge suggested the proposal was originally drafted as a document called “Project 184” but that was changed to an “options paper” which could bypass management to be presented directly to the Queensland Police Service.

Mr Hodge said Ms Allen then used the options paper to convince QPS to agree to “option two”, which would reduce the lab’s workload by reducing the amount of testing of low quality samples.

“What happened at that point was that Mr Howes and Ms Allen and you cut the other members of the management team out of the development of what was going on,” Mr Hodge put to Ms Brisotto.

“It appears to be that way,” she said.

“And it was the case wasn’t it, that one of the primary beneficiaries of what was being put forward by the options paper was you and your section,” Mr Hodge said.

Ms Brisotto insisted that she had no opinion on whether it would have helped the lab for the QPS to agree to option two.

“Because the advantage of option two is that it would reduce workload and that was an urgent thing to address,” Mr Hodge said.

“Your desired outcome was that QPS would agree to option two.”

Ms Brisotto said she did not have a desired outcome.

“I don’t think I had a desire one way or another,” she said.

The inquiry also heard startling evidence that QPS had requested a “pause” on DNA testing of low-level samples over concerns that evidence from serious crimes could be lost through the process.

The inquiry heard the pause could last months while the concerns are assessed by Queensland Health.

A statement provided by QPS said: “As a result of evidence provided to the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing, the QPS has taken precautionary measures to pause testing in order to undertake further scientific advice.”

A Queensland Health spokesman said testing would resume “once instructed by QPS”.

“Forensic samples remain the property of police during investigations,” the statement said.