Forensic Science SA

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (14:49): I seek leave to give a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General a question on Forensics SA.

Leave granted.

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO: Reported in The Advertiser on 31 July, the body of a beloved grandfather, Mr John Griffiths, was kept in the morgue for more than three weeks. His daughter said they were given the runaround and had to wait three long weeks for his body to be released. His body was only released after inquiries from The Advertiser some three weeks later. My questions are to the Attorney-General on Forensics SA:

1. How many forensic scientists does Forensics SA employ?

2. How many employees or full-time equivalents of Forensics SA can sign off on the release of a deceased body?

3. For the month of July, what was the average wait time for the Coroner's office to release a body?

4. What is the current wait time for a body to be released?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:50): I thank the honourable member for her question. In relation to staff at Forensics SA, I suspect that may be published in annual reports or somewhere again during estimates processes, but I am happy to see, if it is not publicly available, what information I can find. In relation to times and the number of bodies Forensics SA might have at a point in time like today, I am happy to go away and see if I can find answers to those questions.

In relation to the issue generally, this is really a very difficult area, because it is a time when many people are grieving a loved one. Depending on the nature of why Forensics SA has a body at their facility, occasionally it can be because there are coronial inquiries that are still being made and the body can't be released. It is not a decision of Forensics SA to sign off or have someone there sign off. Under some circumstances it is that there are still procedures that the Coroner requires to occur.

Certainly, it is something that occasionally I will have members of the public contact my office as Attorney-General. I have spoken a number of times to family members, and then my office has spoken to the Coroner's office about concerns that they have over their loved one's body being released. I understand it can be a very difficult time and a very emotional time in many people's lives.

I am glad, as I outlined earlier this week, that we are committing hundreds of millions of dollars to a purpose-built new facility for Forensics SA, which will no doubt help in terms of the way they manage the workloads that they have.