Queensland's forensic testing service is once again in turmoil, with the director suspended and routine DNA analysis also put on hold over alleged “contamination" issues. But the government can't reveal what those issues are or the potential impact on the justice system.
00:00It was supposed to be a new chapter, but it's under the microscope again.
00:07This whole DNA debacle is a mess.
00:11Forensic Science Queensland supports the criminal justice and coronial systems through forensic testing.
00:17There have been two major inquiries into failures at the state-run lab, with more than 100 recommendations.
00:24That work's still underway. Now, the government says new issues have come to light.
00:29The attorney briefed me yesterday on the action she was taking.
00:33In a statement on Friday evening, Attorney General Deb Frecklington announced she'd immediately suspended the director of FSQ,
00:41Dr Lindsay Wilson-Wild, pending a show cause notice for removal.
00:45Ms Frecklington says she took the action following advice, that FSQ was pausing routine DNA testing over contamination issues.
00:53But the Premier couldn't say today what those issues are, what they relate to, or the timeframe.
00:59That information came to the attorney yesterday morning, so she's working through that right now.
01:05Where is she today?
01:07I imagine she's working through it. As she found out, Queenslanders found out.
01:12Once you heard that information, you must have asked what are the contamination issues.
01:16The attorney got a briefing yesterday morning, took steps, got advice, notified the individual and then notified Queenslanders.
01:23The opposition is demanding more detail.
01:26I really hope the attorney at some point makes a more fulsome statement and particularly provides information to victims who may be feeling very concerned right now.
01:34The Premier also couldn't tell us on what grounds Dr Wilson-Wild has been suspended.
01:40When asked how long she has to respond to the show cause notice for removal, he replied less than a week.
01:47When approached by the ABC, Dr Wilson-Wild declined to comment.
01:51FSQ has paused all non-urgent DNA testing for seven days while reviewing the next steps.
01:58There's no timeframe is there, other than several years, that's the sort of best time.
