Mass DNA re-testing at a beleaguered lab is likely to reveal issues with more cases, the state government warns amid reforms to keep the forensic samples for longer.
Queensland’s state-run lab has been the subject of two full-scale inquiries into its operations since testing issues were first raised following the death of 23-year-old Shandee Blackburn, who was stabbed more than 20 times on her way home from work in Mackay in 2013.
Mackay woman Shandee Blackburn was killed in 2013.
Despite significant amounts of biological material and blood at the scene of Blackburn’s killing and in the car Peros’ was driving, the Queensland government-run Forensic and Scientific Services lab stated it could not identify usable DNA.
The inquires heard that an unusual DNA threshold limit adopted by the lab in 2018 was designed to save money and improve efficiency, but resulted in thousands of crime-scene evidence samples not being tested.
Other samples were incorrectly ruled insufficient due to a flawed automated extraction method.
The laboratory’s failings, which may have led to offenders escaping conviction over nine years from 2007, have prompted a massive re-testing program.
The LNP government moved amendments in parliament yesterday to ensure current DNA sample retention was extended from three to seven years to tackle the re-testing backlog, which may take years.
DNA material taken from suspects between June 14, 2025 and June 14, 2027 will be kept for up to three years under the amendment.
Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington claimed further high-profile cases will emerge from the re-testing.
“Who knows how many other Shandee Blackburns are out there. I hope none but I know that there will be many,” she told parliament yesterday.
AAP
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