Queensland’s Forensic DNA Lab to Undertake Major Reform- Aim to Remove Huge Sexual Assault Backlog

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 20th October 2025– Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ) has proposed an extensive plan to tackle its DNA testing backlog, aiming for a 50% reduction before Christmas. The plan is led by new director Mick Fuller, a former Police Commissioner of New South Wales.

FSQ currently has an excess of 13,000 untested DNA samples, including over 600 sexual assault kits, and has lengthened the time justice has taken for many victims. There will be an increase in reporting court staff from nine to twenty staff by November to expedite the process, and some of the testing work will be contracted out to the U.S.-based company, Bode Technology, so that tests can be completed and reported as quickly as possible. The Queensland government has pledged to invest A$50 million in the reforms.

Among Fuller’s objectives is to reduce the number of sexual-assault cases to below 100 and the total number of submissions for DNA tests from the current 1,000 to 500 by the end of the calendar year. Experts are noting, however, that addressing the significant problems, which were driven by years of incompetence, contamination errors, and failures of management, will be a continuous oversight and transparency process. This has followed several independent consultations, which identified significant systemic issues leading to diminished public trust in FSQ to do its work. Fuller described the reform as a “reset moment for forensic services in Queensland”, which would enable and report results more quickly with increased accuracy, so victims did not have to wait years for answers.

If successful, it could signal a turning point for Australia’s forensic system that restores public confidence and delivers timely justice for victims of violent crimes.