Forensic Science SA

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (14:55): My question is to the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General update the house on the important work undertaken by Forensic Science SA and the role it plays in our justice system?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:55): Indeed I can. I am very pleased to do so and I thank the member for Newland. It isn't just the police, courts, lawyers, and persons who are involved in the justice system who frequently get the public notoriety and the like in dealing with protecting our citizens through the criminal justice system. The Forensic Science SA team are our unsung heroes, and I would like to provide even more investigative information that they can now assist South Australia Police with, principally through techniques in DNA operations.

Specifically, these new technologies enable Forensic Science SA to detect and analyse ever-decreasing amounts of DNA, compare complex DNA mixtures against the national DNA database, identify potential relatives of an unknown DNA profile through familial searches of the database, and improve turnaround times for DNA analysis. Importantly, Forensic Science SA is using these techniques to assist SAPOL in both contemporary and urgent investigations and cold case homicides.

I acknowledge some of the recent urgent work concerning public safety that Forensic Science SA has responded to. In the recent case of the home invasion and attempted sexual assault in Seaford Meadows, staff worked to provide DNA matched to an individual on the national database within 12 hours, and in the last four months they have provided vital DNA evidence, matching individuals on the national database, within 12 to 24 hours in the following cases:

firstly, the violent sexual assault of a woman walking through a Munno Para park at 7am;

secondly, the homicide at Hackham West, where a 36-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death with a wooden stake; and

thirdly, the aggravated robbery at the Woodcroft caravan park, where two home invaders stole pokie machine winnings from an 82-year-old grandmother.

I reiterate that this is complex work that they should be commended for, particularly when they carry out these duties outside working hours.

In the last two years, Forensic Science SA has used these new DNA technologies in 25 cold cases being investigated by SAPOL. Arrests have been made in nine cases where DNA work provided results, and in three of those cases—the homicide of Suzanne Poll in 1993, Dale McCauley in 1998 and Robert Sabeckis in 2000—DNA results were entirely responsible for the identification of a suspect.

Forensic Science SA provides independent, high-quality, expert, scientific evidence, opinion and information to the justice system and the South Australian community. It is an essential service, and I would like to place on record my particular appreciation to Professor Chris Pearman and his team for the vital work they do. Whilst the member for Newland, as a scientist himself, would be familiar with the significance of this, I am pleased to have the opportunity to update the house on the same.