The report, compiled by three international forensic experts, has recommended that Victoria Police make some changes to the way it manages DNA.

Victoria Police requested the assistance of the three experts after issues were identified with the statistical model being used by Victoria Police forensic staff in the interpretation of DNA.

The issue led Chief Commissioner Simon Overland to suspend DNA analysis last December until the matters could be rectified. Victoria Police announced testing would resume on January 12, 2010 after signing up to a new national standard for DNA analysis.

The review team was led by Professor Jim Fraser, Director of the University of Strathclyde's Centre for Forensic Science in Scotland who was assisted by internationally recognised DNA experts Peter Gill and Dr John Buckleton.

In January, Professor Fraser and Dr Buckleton travelled to Melbourne to deliver interim findings and recommendations and offered their endorsement to a new national agreed method regarding DNA analysis.

The scientists also provided guidance about how this evidence should be presented to court in any criminal proceeding.

Their findings and recommendations have been solidified in a nine page report which has been publicly released by Deputy Commissioner Ken Jones today.

The report makes detailed technical recommendations for the interpretation of DNA and makes general recommendations for the improvement of DNA collection and analysis.

The report has also recommended that a re-inspection occurs in nine months time to monitor implementation and ongoing process.

Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones said Victoria Police would incorporate the recommendations into the significant amount of work already being undertaken within the Forensics Division to improve processes and practices.

He again thanked the three forensic experts for sharing their expertise and experience and enabling Victoria Police to continue to move forward with forensic testing.

"The report highlights that we made the right decision in suspending DNA analysis in December. This gave us the time to gain some expert opinion, find a validated method and get back on track."

"DNA is ever evolving and it is crucial we protect this vital evidentiary tool and that the community continues to have confidence in the forensics lab.

"Forensic staff continue to provide a high level of service to the community and are committed to improving processes and practices.

"We have introduced new computer software and all staff have been trained in its use. In addition to this significant body of work, we will continue to work at a national level to develop regulated, recognised standards with regards to DNA analysis."

Sir Ken added that Director of Forensic Services, Graham Ashton, was chairing a working group within the National Institute of Forensic Science framework to meet national consensus regarding forensic standards.

He stated that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had been briefed on the final report and Victoria Police would continue to work with him to identify any cases which may have been impacted by the now resolved issues with DNA interpretation.

At this stage Victoria Police believes that this may at the most be only a small number of cases.

A national agreement and endorsement by three international forensic experts, has led Victoria Police to announce today it is in a position to resume DNA analysis.

The move comes after Victoria Police met with forensic experts from all Australian jurisdictions and New Zealand late last year and developed an agreed standard for the interpretation of DNA.

As part of the process, Victoria Police also engaged three internationally recognised forensic experts to independently review and endorse the proposed interpretative method. New interpretative guidance and computer software will support this aim.

In addition to this, they provided guidance about how this evidence should be presented to court in any criminal proceeding.

Leading the review is Professor Jim Fraser, Director of the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Forensic Science in Scotland. He is being assisted by internationally recognised DNA experts Peter Gill and Dr John Buckleton.

Prof Fraser’s Terms of Reference were to:

• Review the recent alteration in DNA reporting practices at the Victoria Police Forensic Service Department with particular reference to the rationale for change, implementation methodology, implications for investigative use and implications for presentation in court.
• To advise on a national standard for DNA interpretation and reporting.
• To make relevant recommendations on the above issues and other related issues.

The scientists reported interim findings and recommendations yesterday, with Professor Fraser and Dr Buckleton travelling from overseas late last week to undertake the work.

The new national minimum technical standard for DNA analysis is aligned with their recommendations. Prof Fraser and Dr Buckleton met with Chief Commissioner Simon Overland late yesterday and advised him that Victoria Police should resume DNA analysis, as the new and agreed process is sound.

They have also briefed the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones said at this stage there is no evidence to suggest that Victoria Police has presented DNA evidence in a manner which has prejudiced or disadvantaged a defendant.

Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones said in the interests of transparency, the Chief Commissioner had asked Prof Fraser to compile a report regarding the independent review. Some elements of this report will be made available to the public at a later date.

The national agreement was developed after Chief Commissioner Overland issued a direction to all forensic services staff on 10 December last year, stating that no statements or evidence be provided to any parties in relation to DNA interpretation.

This meant that no DNA evidence was to be presented to the courts as part of any cases until further notice.

When making the December announcement, Chief Commissioner Overland said the direction had been issued after Victoria Police identified issues with the statistical model it used when interpreting DNA.

At the time, Mr Overland stated that he was absolutely confident in the science and the integrity of the DNA.

Mr Overland tasked Deputy Commissioner Ken Jones with ensuring that a national consensus was reached with regards to DNA analysis so that Victoria Police could get back to business as usual.

Deputy Commissioner Jones said Victoria Police had engaged the best possible forensic experts to advise on these new national standards and find a way forward.

He thanked them for sharing their expertise and experience and enabling Victoria Police to rectify the issue in a timely and thorough fashion.

“As we have said in the past, the community should still have the utmost confidence in DNA. This matter relates to advances in technology which led to more sensitivity in DNA, requiring more demanding interpretation.

“It is vital that we protect this vital evidentiary tool. That is why we have addressed this issue with such urgency and with the guidance of internationally renowned forensic experts,” Deputy Commissioner Sir Jones said.

“This supports our aim to reach a nationally recognised, endorsed method and we can now keep up with changes in the science in a more consistent and appropriate way.”

BACKGROUND:

• Professor Jim Fraser has significant experience in strategic and policy matters in relation to forensic science in the UK and internationally and has advised a range of agencies on forensic, scientific and investigative matters, including the Association of Chief Police Officers, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, the Home Office and the Scottish and Westminster Parliaments.
• Dr Buckleton is based in New Zealand, working with Environment Science and Research and specialises in low level DNA. He is currently providing advice to police in the United Kingdom and the Home Office.
• Peter Gill is an internationally recognised DNA expert, based at Strathclyde’s Centre for Forensic Science in Scotland. He is currently providing advice to police in the United Kingdom and the Home Office.