Qld forensic laboratory boss kept in the dark on DNA debacle

The man in charge of Queensland’s under-siege state-run forensic laboratory has revealed he was made aware of major backlogs – “some of which was more than 12 months old” – when he began the role in 2017.

The general manager responsible for Queensland’s embattled state-run forensic laboratory was kept in the dark when its senior scientists went to police with plans to dramatically change the way samples were tested – resulting in evidence in rape and murder cases being ignored.

Michel Lok, who was the general manager of community and forensic services from 2017 to 2021, told the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland on Friday he was “never briefed or made aware” of a change in testing procedures.

The inquiry is looking into the 2018 decision to not further test samples with low levels of DNA, with senior scientists telling police there was as little as a two per cent chance of seeing a result.

But when police began requesting further tests on these exhibits, they found the success rate was much higher.

Two senior Queensland Health employees have been stood down over the debacle, while a police taskforce is working through thousands of DNA samples to see whether unsolved crimes can be progressed.

Michel Lok, who was the general manager of community and forensic services from 2017 to 2021, leaves the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/John Gass

In a statement made public on the inquiry’s website, Mr Lok revealed he was made aware of serious backlogs at the laboratory when he began the role in 2017.

“I was aware of outstanding case work and testing, some of which was more than 12 months old,” he said in his statement.

“I received assurances that priority testing was being completed within agreed timeframes to assist with investigations and meet court dates.

“I was advised additional temporary resources had been provided and overtime was being approved to reduce the backlog.”

He said he was not made aware of “Project 184” – an initial push by senior laboratory staff to introduce a testing threshold to reduce workload.

The inquiry heard on Friday that Project 184 needed to be signed off by all managers and was instead changed to an “options paper” that could bypass that step and be presented to police.

Mr Lok said he was not made aware of the options paper either.

“I was never briefed or made aware of the options paper or the change in scientific method arising,” he said.

“I believe the options paper should have been brought to the attention of the general manager.

“The paper appears to address resourcing concerns that had previously been raised with me about the laboratory’s capacity to respond to increasing case numbers.”

The inquiry continues on Tuesday.