Shandee Blackburn was murdered in 2013. Twelve years later, the fallout of botched forensic work has led to a reckoning for Queensland’s forensic lab.<\/p>\n
Mr Fuller told ABC Radio Brisbane the number of DNA evidence samples at the lab relating to sexual assault cases \u2014 known as “rape kits”, which were yet to be tested \u2014 had risen to 750, before offshore testing began recently under a two-year, $50 million government program to clear the backlog.<\/p>\n
When asked if he was confident that Forensic Science Queensland would be able to provide full, timely and high quality testing in two years, Mr Fuller said he was, but conceded “the backlog will probably require me to go back to government for additional funding”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Results from the sexual assault examination kits are expected to be returned in the coming weeks for court matters that are waiting to go to trial.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hundreds of DNA samples are being sent overseas for testing as Queensland’s forensic lab is overhauled.\u00a0 (ABC News)<\/p>\n
Mr Fuller, the new director of Forensic Sciences Queensland, said once systemic issues are fixed, the target turnaround for DNA evidence testing at the lab would be just a few days.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“For what we call P1, priority one cases, which are homicides and obviously serious sexual assaults, they should be done well within four or five working days,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“If it was a case of absolute state priority, they should be done in 24 hours, so that is certainly the goal, but at the moment the goal is getting the job done properly.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dr Kirsty Wright gave evidence at\u00a0Queensland’s commission of inquiry into forensic DNA testing on September 26, 2022. (AAP: Darren England)<\/p>\n
The lab was the subject of two commissions of inquiry in 2022 and 2023, and two reports, released last month, which found evidence may have been compromised for criminal trials dating back to 2007.<\/p>\n
About 13,000 DNA samples still needed to be retested as of last month.<\/p>\n
An independent report led by former Forensic Bureau of Investigations (FBI) expert Dr Bruce Budowle described the lab as being in “sustained crisis”.<\/p>\n
‘It’s about transparency’<\/p>\n
Mr Fuller said he expected the process of retesting the thousands of DNA samples to entirely clear the lab’s backlog could take “a couple of years”.<\/p>\n