Queensland Enacts New Legislation to Guarantee Independence of Forensic Testing
The death of Shandee Blackburn led to the creation of Forensic Science Queensland and a Forensic Science Advisory Council.
A new, independent forensic testing service is set to be established in Queensland, along with an oversight body representing the justice sector.
This move comes after significant deficiencies were uncovered at the state-run lab, potentially impacting 40,000 past cases.
New legislation supported by various political parties establishes a framework for Forensic Science Queensland, featuring an independent director, a government office for the director, and an Advisory Council with 11 members.
The director must hold a relevant scientific qualification and possess at least a decade of practical forensic experience.
The Advisory Council will comprise members from different sectors, including law enforcement, prosecutors, victim support, independent forensic scientists, and private legal practitioners.
With this legislation, Queensland becomes the first state to have a dedicated statutory framework governing the provision of forensic services.
According to Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, DNA testing and analysis are crucial components of the criminal justice system, and this legislation is a positive step towards restoring public confidence in Queensland’s forensic services.
Shandee Blackburn’s Murder and the Subsequent Investigations
In February 2013, Shandee Blackburn, 23, was brutally attacked and fatally stabbed while walking home from work in Mackay, Queensland.
Her former boyfriend, John Peros, was charged with her murder after an 18-month investigation, but he was acquitted after a trial in 2017.
An inquest in 2020 pointed to evidence suggesting Peros’ involvement in Blackburn’s murder, but no one has been convicted of the crime.
Forensic biologist Kirsty Wright spoke out about critical errors in the original prosecution case, describing it as a “forensic train wreck.”
Further inquiries in 2022 and 2023 revealed significant flaws at the state-run forensic lab, leading to the retesting of samples and the discovery that nearly 40,000 cases had been impacted by failures at the lab.
The failures were linked to an automated DNA extraction method known as Project 13, which was deemed flawed and lacking scientific validity.
Queensland Minister for Health, Shannon Fentiman, acknowledged the concerns raised by Wright and the Blackburn family, emphasizing the need for a top-notch forensic service system in the state.
Despite the investigations and inquiries, no one has been held accountable for Shandee Blackburn’s murder.
