DNA evidence: Senior scientist shared fears police did not understand DNA process

A scientist has told the inquiry into Queensland’s DNA testing bungle that she shared fears police did not fully understand the impact of changes on evidence.

A senior scientist at the state-run laboratory suspected the Queensland Police Service did not fully understand the implications of changing the DNA testing threshold, a hearing has heard.

In the lead up to the implementation of a new procedure in 2018 that would ultimately lead to thousands of evidence samples in murder and rape cases being ignored, a report was compiled to examine the effectiveness of dismissing evidence below a certain threshold.

Under cross examination on the second day of the commission of inquiry, senior scientist at the state-run lab, Kylie Rika, was probed about an email she sent to a superior.

In the email, shown at the hearing, Ms Rika suggested QPS didn’t fully understand the process being carried out and the possible implication it would have on the treatment of DNA evidence.

Senior scientist Kylie Rika (right) leaves Brisbane Magistrates Court after giving evidence to the commission of inquiry into forensic DNA testing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

When asked if it was her suspicion police didn’t fully understand the details to the report being carried out, she agreed.

“It wasn’t even clear to myself how the data analysis had been conducted,” Ms Rika told the hearing on Tuesday morning.

“Given the amount of confusion, for me as a scientist that works within the lab, what chance would QPS have in understanding everything that went into the proposal of those options.”

On Monday, Ms Rika said the work culture at the Queensland Health Forensic Scientific Services was “quite toxic”, and said herself and other scientists who raised concerns about the new testing procedure were dismissed.

Under cross examination, it was also asserted that Ms Rika had continued in her role despite the toxic workplace she had unveiled to the inquiry on Monday.

But she said her passion for the work and resolve to improve processes were her motivation for continuing.

“I have stuck it out at the expense of my health, both physical and mental,” she said.

“But I love my job in terms of the job that I do.”

She said she spoke to the human resources department at FSS regularly about her concerns being dismissed and her views being undermined.

Ms Rika, who has worked at the state-run lab for more than 15 years, said the environment had led to her feeling “isolated and disempowered”.

Originally published as DNA evidence: Senior scientist shared fears police did not understand DNA process