Two independent scientists called in from Victoria and New Zealand to inspect Queensland’s forensic lab tell an inquiry into botched DNA testing that lab staff had “divided allegiances and a lack of trust”.
The multimillion-dollar probe came after inquiry head, commissioner Walter Sofranoff KC, released an interim report that accused the state’s forensic lab of making “untrue” statements about the quality of DNA tests.
It revealed that due to the bungled testing, scientists then dismissed huge numbers of samples potentially enabling perpetrators who had committed crimes to go free.
Two suspended scientists, team leader Justin Howes and managing scientist Cathie Allen were slammed for “standing by” while Queensland police were misled about DNA testing, a move described by counsel assisting Michael Hodge KC as a “complete failure” of responsibility.
There were claims of “document shredding”, an incident that had become known as “bin gate” amid a deterioration of the working and personal relationship between whistleblower scientist Amanda Reeves and Ms Allen.
The inquiry will resume in a few weeks’ time for its final hearings when it is understood the 2013 murder of Mackay woman Shandee Blackburn will come under the spotlight.
Ms Blackburn’s family believe DNA samples collected by the state-run mortuary that is responsible for conducting autopsies, the John Tonge Centre, were not tested appropriately at the time.
Ms Blackburn’s mother Vicki Blackburn believes if it had tested DNA samples adequately, her daughter’s killer would have been caught by now.
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