Scientist feared police confusion

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.

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.”