Source of DNA lab contamination found, testing resumes
The routine testing of forensic samples has resumed within Queensland’s trouble-plagued DNA lab after sample contamination was discovered last month.
The routine testing of forensic samples has resumed within Queensland’s trouble-plagued DNA lab after sample contamination was discovered last month.
One robotic instrument used to test samples within the Forensic Science Queensland lab, which conducts testing for criminal investigations and prosecutions in the state, was identified as the source of the contamination that was picked-up during a government-ordered review of operations.
The discovery by renowned FBI geneticist Bruce Budowle also led to the suspension of FSQ director Linzi Wilson-Wilde pending a show-cause notice for removal.
Deep cleaning of the facility was expected to take a week, but the site remained offline for an additional seven days until Friday.
Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said no criminal cases were affected and noted that the lab reopening with the support of the state’s police service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“While FSQ’s internal investigation remains ongoing, I’m reassured that at this time no criminal case samples have been impacted by the lab contamination,” Ms Frecklington said on Friday evening.
Ms Wilson-Wilde’s future as director remains uncertain.
The development is yet another blow for the embattled laboratory, which was revealed to have systematic testing failures that were brought to light by The Australian’s podcast series, Shandee’s Story, investigating the unsolved murder of Shandee Blackburn, who was savagely stabbed to death in Mackay in 2013.
Revelations by investigative journalist Hedley Thomas and forensic biologist Kirsty Wright revealed Ms Blackburn’s case was one of thousands of series criminal cases that were compromised by flawed testing practices at the laboratory.
It led to two commissions of inquiry into the lab were conducted, confirming the DNA testing problems.
Ms Wright and Mr Budowle are currently collaborating on another review, which was ordered by the current Liberal National Party government.
Ms Frecklington said it was important victims received justice.
“Getting to the bottom of Labor’s DNA debacle has been an absolute priority for the Crisafulli Government and, after a decade of issues being ignored or buried, we will stop at nothing to deliver justice for victims and rebuild Queensland’s forensic testing services to a world-class standard,” she said.
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