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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Sam Rigney

DNA backlog leaves cold case rape trial in jeopardy

THE state's forensic laboratory is under the microscope, with lawyers for an accused in an historical rape case in Newcastle being told a massive backlog means crucial DNA evidence may not be provided until the first day of trial.

The trial of Shannon Adrian Murphy in Newcastle District Court in August could be vacated and delayed another year after the Forensic & Analytical Science Service (FASS) said they were "highly unlikely" to comply with a court order to serve an outstanding expert DNA report.

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