Forensic scientist Kirsty Wright leads review into slow retesting of DNA samples at Qld lab
The forensic scientist who exposed a series of catastrophic problems at Qld’s DNA laboratory will oversee a new review into the sluggish retesting of samples from thousands of major crime cases.
The forensic scientist who exposed a series of catastrophic problems at Queensland’s DNA laboratory has been put in charge of a new review into the sluggish retesting of samples from thousands of major crime cases.
Kirsty Wright, whose revelations about mishandled evidence on The Australian’s podcast series Shandee’s Story sparked two major commissions of inquiry, will oversee work on the biggest review and retesting of forensic samples in world history.
After she was shut out of lab reforms by the previous state Labor government, Dr Wright has been formally appointed by new Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington to probe progress on the historical review of more than 40,000 major crime cases dating back more than a decade.
“Dr Wright is not only an expert in her field, she is courageous and fearless with impeccable credentials,” Ms Frecklington said.
“That makes her the best person to undertake this review, which is essential for ensuring justice is achieved in every case involving DNA evidence.”
Testing delays at the government-run forensic lab are wreaking havoc on Queensland’s criminal justice system, with the courts recently forced to narrow the scope of DNA testing to help speed up a backlog of murder and rape cases.
The extent of delays were exposed by The Australian in September, with revelations Queensland’s rape kit backlog was 20 times the size of Victoria’s, with 420 victims waiting more than a year to have forensic evidence from their alleged attacks tested.
As of November 5, just 1081 of the 41,077 cases potentially affected by botched testing have been referred for scientific review.
Dr Wright, who repeatedly urged the former government to ramp up outsourcing of samples, is a decorated forensic biologist who works for the Australian Army developing forensic capability for counter-terrorism and national security needs.
Based on the Gold Coast, Dr Wright is the former head of the national DNA database and led efforts to identify victims of the Bali bombings and the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
Dr Wright said she believed the new government was “genuine about wanting to fix the DNA lab, and give victims the best chance of justice”.
“The DNA Review, and my appointment is proof of that,” she said.
“My motives remain the same, to help victims get justice and protect Queenslanders.
“I’m looking forward to working with the police, courts, and Forensic Science Queensland to find ways they can be further supported to deliver vital DNA services.”
Ms Frecklington will be sacked if she fails to improve practices at the lab after new LNP Premier David Crisafulli released his much-hyped ministerial charter letters on Friday night.
The letters detail key performance indicators his frontbench members must meet or risk demotion to the backbench.
As Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Ms Frecklington is required to “ensure Queensland’s DNA Forensic Laboratory is of a world-class standard and can be relied upon to bring justice for Queenslanders, delivering the recommendations from the two commissions of inquiry in a thorough and transparent manner”.
She has also been ordered to restore powers to the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission after a High Court decision gagged the watchdog from publicly reporting on its investigations into politicians and bureaucrats.
Restoring reporting powers would allow the public release of the CCC’s investigative report into the scientists who oversaw disastrous testing practices at the lab.
A royal commission-style inquiry in 2022 found then-managing scientist Cathie Allen and her deputies, Justin Howes and Paula Brisotto, were behind a testing threshold that compromised thousands of criminal cases.
Former judge Walter Sofronoff KC, who led the inquiry, was highly critical of Ms Allen in his final report, finding she had lied under oath and to police, the government and victims of crime.
Mr Sofronoff stopped short of recommending criminal charges but his report was referred to the CCC in December 2022. Ms Allen was sacked, with Ms Brisotto and Mr Howes also leaving Queensland Health last year.
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