Acting Assistant Commissioner Marcus Hill said crimes mishandled in the DNA bungle could include homicide, rape and robbery, with the number of cases impacted unknown.
“It could be 1000, it could be 9000 – nobody really understands that,” he said.
“Worst case scenario, there could be people that are offenders that are still out there.
- Acting Assistant Commissioner Marcus Hill
While, Queensland Health Minister Yvette d'Ath said the government is working to rectify the issue as a priority.
“If there’s one — just one case, one victim, one alleged perpetrator — where the DNA shows a connection, whether partially or full, to someone involved in a crime, then we have a responsibility to act and provide that person with justice in whatever way we can,” she said.
The inquiry was launched in June after The Australian’s podcast Shandee’s Story raised concerns about the forensic examination procedures in Queensland.
Police have set up a hotline for any person who believes they may be affected.
The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. Hosted by Tom Tilley and co-hosts Katrina Blowers, Antoinette Lattouf, Rhianna Patrick and Jamila Rizvi. Published Monday to Saturday at 6am for a thorough briefing on the news of the day. Hear it on the Listnr App.