Forensic Science Queensland Advisory Council appointed

• An 11-member advisory council has been appointed after an international selection process
• The council will monitor and review forensic service policies and procedures relating to the administration of criminal justice.

An 11-member advisory council, chaired by highly respected former District Court Judge Julie Dick SC, has been appointed to monitor and review the delivery of high-quality forensic services in Queensland.

The membership was selected following a highly competitive international search.

The Council, which will provide advice directly to the Attorney-General, was a recommendation of the 2022 Commission of Inquiry into DNA Testing in Queensland, and was established under the Forensic Science Queensland Act 2024.

The appointment of the advisory council marks the beginning of a new chapter in the organisation’s governance and makes Queensland the first Australian state to have a dedicated statutory framework governing the provision of forensic services.

The council will be responsible for monitoring and reviewing policies and procedures of Forensic Science Queensland (FSQ) that relate to the administration of criminal justice.

The selection process was extremely competitive and attracted a high level of international interest from highly qualified candidates around the world.

Ms Julie Dick SC has been appointed Chair of the advisory council for a period of three years.

Ms Dick served for more than two decades as a sitting judge of the District Court of Queensland until her retirement in June 2022.

She was first appointed to the District Court in 2000, serving as a Judge of the Childrens Court of Queensland from 2001 and as the President of the Childrens Court of Queensland from 2007 to 2010.

She was also appointed as an acting judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland from 2011 to 2012.

Ms Dick was co-chair of Forensic Science Queensland’s Interim Advisory Board, the precursor body to the Advisory Council.

Ms Dick brings to the advisory council a wealth of criminal law and sentencing experience from her time both as a judicial officer and prior to this, as Senior Counsel appearing in many high-profile criminal trials.

She is currently a judicial member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and a senior member of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council.

The advisory council includes representatives from each of the Queensland Police Service, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Legal Aid Queensland. These appointments initially are:

• Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd, Operations Support Command, Queensland Police Service
• Mr Philip McCarthy KC, Deputy Director, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
• Ms Kerry Bichel, Director, Criminal Law Services, Legal Aid Queensland.

Legislation also requires the Council to include at least one victims’ advocate, one expert in forensic service delivery, and one member of the private legal profession. These appointments are:

• Ms Catherine Crawford, Coordinator, The Women’s Centre, Townsville (victims’ advocate)
• Mr Christopher Porter, Director of Forensic Services, Metropolitan Police Service, United Kingdom (forensic service delivery expert)
• Mr Patrick Quinn, solicitor in private legal practice (practising lawyer).

The remaining four members must be qualified and experienced in forensic services, law, policing, victim support, or another relevant field approved by the Attorney-General. These members are:

• Adjunct Professor Alastair Ross, Lecturer, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University and Foundation Director of the National institute of Forensic Science (expert in forensic science)
•  Chief Inspector David Neville, DNA Management, Queensland Police Service (expert in policing)
• Rhea Mohenoa, Director of Client Services (Recovery and Healing), DVConnect (expert in supporting victims of crime)
• Associate Professor Catherine McDougall, Chief Medical Officer, Queensland Health (other field – oversight of forensic medical examinations).

Collectively, the members of the advisory council possess significant expertise in the fields of criminal justice, victim advocacy and forensic sciences and will provide valuable oversight and contributions. It is also anticipated that the Council will be able to engage with other experts in delivering its function.

Forensic Science Queensland was administratively assigned to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) on 1 July 2024.

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath:

“Forensic services play a critical role in our criminal justice system and Queenslanders deserve to have absolute confidence in the system.

“The past issues relating to DNA testing and analysis are well-documented and we are working hard to ensure our forensic services are of the highest standards possible.

“The establishment of the FSQ Advisory Council is a significant step toward reforming Queensland’s forensic services and protecting the integrity of our criminal justice system.

“It includes eminent members who have experience representing and supporting victims, to ensure services reflect the needs of Queenslanders impacted by crime.

“The Council will monitor and review all FSQ policies and procedures relating to the administration of criminal justice, which should help to restore the community’s confidence in our state’s forensic services.”

ENDS