Crime scene forensic samples deemed ‘insufficient’ showed ‘usable’ profiles in 2020, Queensland DNA inquiry hears
DNA evidence may have been omitted from criminal cases in Queensland because some samples weren’t tested thoroughly, with closer scrutiny of examples from sexual assault cases showing “usable” profiles, an inquiry has heard.
The probe, led by former judge Walter Sofronoff, is examining the state-run lab’s 2018 decision to stop testing samples that contained tiny amounts of DNA.
Forensic scientist Alicia Quartermain retested some samples from sexual assault cases marked as “insufficient for processing”, and they returned DNA profiles.
“Some of these samples … had got some good, usable DNA profiles,” Quartermain told the inquiry on Monday.
“So to say that we’re calling these samples insufficient for further processing, it’s not correct.”
Other scientists had similar concerns, she said, adding that the very concept of DNA being “insufficient” for further processing was false anyway.
“It can always be processed further,” she told the inquiry. “Whether or not we get a usable DNA profile at the end of it is the question, but we could always do more with those samples.”
Laura Reece, counsel assisting the inquiry, asked Quartermain if she was concerned evidence that may be useful for the courts had been omitted from some criminal cases.
“Yes,” Quartermain replied.
The inquiry heard she kept a record of the test results to alert superiors about her concerns in 2020, and again last year.
She told the inquiry she wanted to continue retesting samples and her manager said she could to seek permission from senior management, but that it wasn’t given.
Quartermain said she didn’t receive an explanation about that refusal.
“When it reaches that next person, often things stop, as opposed to getting support from that person, or sitting down and having a conversation around why that person thinks ‘no, this doesn’t need to proceed further’,” she said.
The scientist said culture was a problem, and the episode made her feel as if she wasn’t trusted and was being prevented from doing a thorough job.
Hearings of the commission of inquiry into forensic DNA testing in Queensland are continuing. The inquiry is due to deliver its full report in December.