Push to widen police inquiry to include DNA labs

Queensland’s commission of inquiry into its police service should be expanded to look into the state’s forensic services lab, the Opposition says.

Queensland’s commission of inquiry into its police service should be expanded to look into the state’s forensic services lab after concerns failures within have denied justice to victims, the Opposition says.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli will on Tuesday call for an expansion to the terms of reference for the inquiry, beyond its original function to ­investigate any problems relating to culture that is shaping officers’ response to domestic violence.

It follows a separate review announced by the government into the Forensic Services Lab, run by Queensland Health, sparked by alleged delays and reported failings in the analysis of DNA evidence.

State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli. Picture: Tara Croser

That review will investigate the “systems and processes” in place for DNA testing and analysis to determine if they are reliable and best practice, but it has been criticised by the LNP for not being far-reaching enough because it doesn’t look into “previous failings”.

“Our state’s Forensic Services Lab is failing and the state government is failing to understand the gravity of what this means for Queenslanders,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Victims of serious crimes are being denied justice due to these failings.

“Following detailed consultation, it is the firm view of the Opposition that the operations and outcomes of the lab should be examined by the new commission of inquiry being conducted into the Queensland Police Service. This view is shared by victims and forensic experts. The lab sits at the very heart of the Queensland justice system and its success is far too important to only be examined in another review.”

The commission of inquiry, headed by Judge Deborah Richards, was established in response to a key recommendation of Justice Margaret McMurdo’s Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce.

It will explore whether there are cultural issues within the police service relating to the investigation of domestic and family violence and how they are impacting on victims.

Judge Richards’ work officially began on Monday, although she is yet to call any public hearing dates, or indicate when or how she will take submissions during the four-month-long process.