Australia - Shandee Blackburn, 23, murdered, Mackay, Qld, 9 Feb 2013

[DRT]

Now it looks like it may not be all the DNA lab's fault. Gotta feel for Shandee's family.

Police blood sample process at time of Shandee Blackburn's death 'may not be best practice', inquiry hears

An inquiry into Queensland's state-run forensics lab is told a process used to collect blood samples at the time of Shandee Blackburn's death "may not be best practice", and that staff were under "significant pressure" around the speed of testing.

www.abc.net.au

Inquiry told process to collect blood samples 'may not be best practice'
Counsel Assisting Laura Reece today told the inquiry that at the time of Ms Blackburn's death, police used a wetting agent that contained 70 per cent alcohol to collect blood samples, which "may not be best practice".

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11...-dna-lab-inquiry-bingate-leadership/101688616​

Walter Sofronoff KC, who is conducting the inquiry, responded that it could be concluded that swabs submitted by police could have been unreliable before arriving at the lab.

"It's not possible to conclude that the offender's DNA was not on Ms Blackburn's body or clothing, and it's not possible to conclude that Ms Blackburn's DNA was not present in the car of the person who had been suspected of the killing," he said.

"It was not correct to say that there was no DNA, it would have been correct to say that having regard to the methods employed, it was not possible to say whether or not there was any DNA in relevant places."

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Now it looks like it may not be all the DNA lab's fault. Gotta feel for Shandee's family.

Police blood sample process at time of Shandee Blackburn's death 'may not be best practice', inquiry hears

An inquiry into Queensland's state-run forensics lab is told a process used to collect blood samples at the time of Shandee Blackburn's death "may not be best practice", and that staff were under "significant pressure" around the speed of testing.

www.abc.net.au

Inquiry told process to collect blood samples 'may not be best practice'
Counsel Assisting Laura Reece today told the inquiry that at the time of Ms Blackburn's death, police used a wetting agent that contained 70 per cent alcohol to collect blood samples, which "may not be best practice".

Today's DNA inquiry will hear about 'Shandee's Story', the case that started it all​

Walter Sofronoff KC, who is conducting the inquiry, responded that it could be concluded that swabs submitted by police could have been unreliable before arriving at the lab.

"It's not possible to conclude that the offender's DNA was not on Ms Blackburn's body or clothing, and it's not possible to conclude that Ms Blackburn's DNA was not present in the car of the person who had been suspected of the killing," he said.

"It was not correct to say that there was no DNA, it would have been correct to say that having regard to the methods employed, it was not possible to say whether or not there was any DNA in relevant places."

Looks like the police may have contributed to the mess but regardless, the lack of results should have raised alarm bells at the lab and had them exploring the process from start to finish.

Not sure if it was mentioned in the article, but who instructed the police on what type of swabs they should use and where did they get them from? Did the lab issue them to the police?

 

[bfew]

Looks like the police may have contributed to the mess but regardless, the lack of results should have raised alarm bells at the lab and had them exploring the process from start to finish.

Not sure if it was mentioned in the article, but who instructed the police on what type of swabs they should use and where did they get them from? Did the lab issue them to the police?

The answer to some of those questions might be in the Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland exhibit EXP.0002.0009.0001 or one of the many other inquiry exhibits (published or suppressed) referred to in this expert report.

https://www.dnainquiry.qld.gov.au/public-hearings/assets/exhibits/module-7/EXH%20225%20-%20EXP.0002.0009.0001_R.pdf

'The main purpose of this report is to comment on whether the use of rayon swabs with 70% ethanol were properly validated before being implemented by QPS. If not, what are the consequences of that and what should be done to rectify that situation?'

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Shandee’s Legacy Episode 7: "Freedom Day" is up.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

A commission of inquiry has heard DNA samples from the scene of Shandee Blackburn's murder were unreliable, but at this stage it is impossible to say why. It sounds like samples from Shanee's clothes will be sent to a different lab for further testing.

DNA inquiry nears end, calls for new body to address alleged failures

Trusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Cliff Hardy]

December 13th is the date Walter Sofronoff KC is due to come back with his findings. They will be interesting, to say the least.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Queensland's forensic DNA lab inquiry finds 'serious' failures reduced prospect of conviction, thousands of samples may be retested​

DNA lab boss lied to inquiry and her leadership was the ‘single biggest problem’ at embattled facility, report finds

A report into forensic DNA testing in Queensland finds serious failures at a state-run lab, including "mismanagement" and "dishonesty by senior managers".

www.abc.net.au

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Double jeopardy laws brought forward in light of Queensland DNA inquiry

www.9news.com.au

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the government accepts all 123 recommendations made by the report from the Queensland DNA enquiry and has committed $95 million to implement the changes. The first changes that will be implemented include establishing an independent interim body to oversee the lab.

Double jeopardy exception laws will be also brought forward in Queensland as a result of the findings.

 

[DRT]

Double jeopardy laws brought forward in light of Queensland DNA inquiry

www.9news.com.au

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the government accepts all 123 recommendations made by the report from the Queensland DNA enquiry and has committed $95 million to implement the changes. The first changes that will be implemented include establishing an independent interim body to oversee the lab.

Double jeopardy exception laws will be also brought forward in Queensland as a result of the findings.

I haven't read the 520 page report.

I found this interesting from your article. The 2 staff members suspended being Cathie Allen and Justin. The report was most scathing on Cathie Allen.

Staff to be fired over report​

Sofronoff flagged there would be changes to the leadership at the lab and today D'Ath revealed three staff members have been issued cause letters, two of whom are already suspended, and another two staff members will be given please explain letters.

I also listened to the podcast on the weekend and they were talking about John Peros and his court case in WA.

He was found guilty of bashing his colleague but has a spent conviction against his name.

They said the most important part of the conviction is that his DNA is now on the DNA database. When there is a not guity verdict people can ask for their DNA to be removed from the database.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Vicki's world became 'totally alien' when her daughter Shandee was murdered. 10 years later, she's still fighting for justice

Vicki Blackburn has endured the worst pain imaginable, but she is determined to make sure something positive comes from it.

www.abc.net.au

Shandee Blackburn's mother, Vicki, continues fight for justice 10 years after unsolved murder

 

[Cliff Hardy]

The shambles that was the Cathie Allen run Queensland Forensic Laboratory is going to open up 2 cans of worms:

1/ Cases where the lab failed to produce evidence they should have and guilty parties were not charged or convicted.

2/ Cases where parties were found guilty due to evidence from the lab. One such case, that involving John Cobby, who was found guilty of killing his wife with a hammer, is already under challenge.

 

[Cliff Hardy]

Just when it looked like the Queensland Forensic Laboratory was back on track. Boom! More discovery and disclosure by Dr Kirsty Wright.

Turns out the document that concludes, following trials, that the robotic system is comparable to the previously used manual system, is a just total falsification. How embarrassing!

(for those who haven't noticed, there are two more episodes up of Shanee's Story - Episode 10 ('Project 13') and Episode 11 ('What Linzi Left Out').

 

[Ellery84]

Just when it looked like the Queensland Forensic Laboratory was back on track. Boom! More discovery and disclosure by Dr Kirsty Wright.

Turns out the document that concludes, following trials, that the robotic system is comparable to the previously used manual system, is a just total falsification. How embarrassing!

(for those who haven't noticed, there are two more episodes up of Shanee's Story - Episode 10 ('Project 13') and Episode 11 ('What Linzi Left Out').

Cliff, is that why the trial of the alleged Biggenden murdererer and arsonist Kristen Leslie Olsen has been continually delayed?

Are they waiting on the Qld Governments botched DNA lab to process the forensic DNA results/evidence?

I’ve listened to Episode 10 and Episode 11 but it was very scientific and technical, and I struggled to relate it to Shandee’s story on an emotional level.

 

[DRT]

Cliff, is that why the trial of the alleged Biggenden murdererer and arsonist Kristen Leslie Olsen has been continually delayed?

Are they waiting on the Qld Governments botched DNA lab to process the forensic DNA results/evidence?

I’ve listened to Episode 10 and Episode 11 but it was very scientific and technical, and I struggled to relate it to Shandee’s story on an emotional level.

There are so many issues with the Queensland labs still. There is a second commission of enquiry.

From earlier this month. The Australian has also had editorials and front page spreads about it.

Thousands of serious crime and sexual assault cases to be reviewed in Queensland forensic lab inquiry

A fresh inquiry is launched into Queensland's forensics DNA lab to investigate concerns about an automated DNA extraction method.

www.abc.net.au

 

[NancyCoburn]

This case has done so much for other cases….but I really hope for Vicki’s sake the DNA samples are retested (and can be retested) to prove who the killer was. Simply so unfair justice hasn’t been served after such a violent crime.

 

[Ellery84]

Shandee Blackburn murder: ‘Biggest DNA retesting operation in history’ — The Australian

More than 100,000 crime scene samples from 2007 to 2016 processed with the flawed extraction method at Queensland’s DNA lab now face retesting.

apple.news

“More than 100,000 crime scene samples from 2007 to 2016 processed with the flawed extraction method will face retesting, it has been estimated.


But the number could rise with the current chief of the lab giving evidence that there will need to be retesting up to the start of 2023.


“This retesting exercise is by far the biggest retesting exercise not only in Australia’s history but in the history of forensic testing,” Dr Wright said Friday.


“It’s unheard of. It would be well over 100,000 crime scene samples.”

 

[Cliff Hardy]

This case has done so much for other cases….but I really hope for Vicki’s sake the DNA samples are retested (and can be retested) to prove who the killer was. Simply so unfair justice hasn’t been served after such a violent crime.

Willing to bet there's a suspect not sleeping as well as he used to and rightly so because if the retest produces the results the initial tests should have...

 

[DRT]

Shandee Blackburn murder: ‘Biggest DNA retesting operation in history’ — The Australian

More than 100,000 crime scene samples from 2007 to 2016 processed with the flawed extraction method at Queensland’s DNA lab now face retesting.

apple.news

“More than 100,000 crime scene samples from 2007 to 2016 processed with the flawed extraction method will face retesting, it has been estimated.


But the number could rise with the current chief of the lab giving evidence that there will need to be retesting up to the start of 2023.


“This retesting exercise is by far the biggest retesting exercise not only in Australia’s history but in the history of forensic testing,” Dr Wright said Friday.


“It’s unheard of. It would be well over 100,000 crime scene samples.”

'We persisted': Forensic lab ignored senior scientist's warning against automation

Scientists persisted with an automated extraction method despite concerns it yielded 90 per cent less DNA, a commission into a state-run lab has heard.

www.abc.net.au

'Should have raised a red flag': Expert slams practices at Queensland's forensics lab over 'poor' DNA results

A commission has heard bloodstains from Shandee Blackburn's murder case gave "really low" DNA results when tested, but nothing was ever done about it.

www.abc.net.au

Queensland's forensics lab failed to pinpoint almost a third of blood samples in 2008, inquiry hears

The inquiry is examining Project 13, a 2008 report by seven scientists recommending the use of an automated DNA testing system, rather than extracting it manually.

www.abc.net.au

There have been a few articles over the latest commission of inquiry. Kathie Allen wasn't the only issue with the lab. Also the automated DNA testing process.

 

[Ellery84]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news...t/news-story/10a2d2d89686ebc997f167bf4a7b1057

IMO, this is big news for Shandee Blackburn’s case:

“Rapists, pedophiles, and other sex offenders set free due to catastrophic failings at Queensland’s DNA lab could be brought to justice under changes to double jeopardy laws set to be introduced in parliament this week.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath confirmed the state government, as promised a year ago, would introduce legislation in the last sitting week of parliament that amends Queensland’s double jeopardy laws.”

 

[Ellery84]

A commission of inquiry has heard DNA samples from the scene of Shandee Blackburn's murder were unreliable, but at this stage it is impossible to say why. It sounds like samples from Shanee's clothes will be sent to a different lab for further testing.

View attachment 383073

DNA inquiry nears end, calls for new body to address alleged failures

Trusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more.

www.abc.net.au

That’s great news.