New errors uncovered at Queensland's troubled DNA lab

Hundreds of statements being audited after typos uncovered at troubled Queensland forensics lab Thu 6 Aug 2026 at 2:05pm Murder and rape court cases may have been impacted by simple typos from scientists at Queensland's beleaguered forensics lab. The mistake was sensationally first discovered as a scientist was in the witness box giving evidence in June. Forensics Science Queensland (FSQ) was the subject of two commissions of inquiry, which resulted in tens of thousands of DNA samples needing retesting and potential miscarriages of justice. The latest bungle involved statements the lab provided to police for prosecution, which had typographical errors like the wrong date or case number. Just over 900 statements dating back to 2023 are being audited, with a third checked so far, and an error rate of 10 to 15 per cent. Of the statements that had a typo, the government assured none had compromised any criminal court cases. However, FSQ director Mick Fuller said it would be "impossible" to rule out if the remaining 600 statements had errors that affected cases. "All we can do is do the audit, do it properly, and be transparent with the outcome. "If there is an issue that has arrived along the way, we will report that." Mr Fuller, New South Wales' former top cop, was appointed to the role by the LNP government a year ago, tasked with clearing the massive backlog of samples to be retested and addressing cultural issues. He assured protocols had been put in place to prevent future transcription errors and that the science was "definitively" correct. "Look, it's not ideal, but from my perspective, it shows that FSQ has grown and can now be better trusted. "Obviously, we don't want mistakes, and I would love to get all the mistakes out of any aspect of Forensic Science Queensland. "But of course, if we do make mistakes, then we need to act on them quickly." Top scientist quietly exits Esteemed forensic scientist Dr Kirsty Wright led a major review of FSQ, which in August 2025 made damning findings of contamination and unreliable results. She was appointed to an advisory role to lead reforms at the lab, but it was revealed today she had quietly left the lab in May, just six months into a year-long contract. "My priority remains to help fix the DNA Lab. I'm available to assist the government as needed," Dr Wright said in a short statement to the ABC. She has since been replaced, while the progress of the hundreds of recommendations she was helping to implement remains unclear. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington did not answer questions about why Dr Wright had left, denying there had been a lack of transparency. "I'm standing right here doing a press conference, like I do whenever we have any other major update. "Today is an incredible day to think of where we've come from 12 months ago." Shadow Attorney-General Meaghan Scanlon said the government had serious questions to answer. "Deb Frecklington promised that she was going to fix the DNA lab, and yet her handpicked adviser has walked off the job halfway through," Ms Scanlon said. "We only heard about this bungle through the media. The Crisafulli government didn't issue a media release. They didn't stand up and be up front with Queenslanders."