Queensland 'actively pursuing' allowing police to collect child suspect DNA

Queensland government 'actively pursuing' allowing police to collect child suspects' DNA Mon 3 Aug 2026 at 2:12pm The Queensland government says it is "actively pursuing" allowing police to collect a child suspect's DNA without a court order. Currently the law requires police to get the court's permission to swab a suspect under the age of 17. Police Minister Dan Purdie confirmed the government is looking to amend the law. The Queensland Police Union said the "discrepancy" between how child and adult offenders' DNA was collected should be "completely removed". "If you are old enough to go out in the community and commit crimes in the community, then you are old enough to have your DNA recorded," union president Shane Prior said. "The collection of DNA in investigations is something that happens every single day so to have this tool available to frontline officers and to our investigators is something that the union is pursuing." On Monday, Premier David Crisafulli told reporters Mr Purdie had asked the police union to give more information about their proposal.