A Queensland forensic scientist told superiors she was "freaking out" about discrepancies in tests of sperm samples from crime scenes but no action was taken, an inquiry has been told.
Amanda Reeves raised concerns about sperm samples that could produce DNA matches being missed twice in 2016 after another scientist flagged the issue with her.
An inquiry into the forensic lab, before former judge Walter Sofronoff, was told on Monday that microscope examinations were used from 2010 to work out if a sperm sample warranted further testing.
However, a scientist noticed a strong case for sperm in a sample in late 2015 even though the examination slide didn't show any sperm.
Reporting scientist Jacqueline Wilson raised the discrepancy with Ms Reeves in March 2016.
"So there was a problem of some kind in the preparation of the slide or the extraction or something, leading up to that slide being examined," Mr Sofronoff said.
"There was a potential for a range of samples to be missed."
The lab's managers did not change workflows or take steps to ensure samples potentially containing sperm carrying DNA weren't missed between March and May 2016
Ms Reeves wrote an email to superiors in July, saying she was particularly concerned about the issue.
"We really need this sort of ASAP and I can't understand why there is not more urgency around this. It's freaking me out," she wrote in the email, read at the inquiry.
"Given the high risk, I'm asking if it can be made a priority."
A week later, Ms Reeves followed up with a second email.
"Over six months have passed and I have been ignored and worse, shouted at and humiliated in a room full of people," she wrote.
"There is still no outcome and we are still exposed in terms of risk."
Mr Sofronoff said no steps were taken to fix the issue over eight years, during which time the lab may have missed further testing on up to 400 samples.
"What we know is that many samples would not have been tested and the implications of that are unknown," he said.
In January 2017, New Zealand forensic analysis laboratory ESR was asked to investigate the Queensland lab.
EST was told there was an issue regarding sperm samples so it should examine the lab's processes.
However, ESR wasn't told about the lab potentially overlooking sperm samples that could produce DNA matches
"ESR is briefed to have a look at sperm microscopy and the sperm identification and testing process and they're not told the single greatest issue that affects that process that arose in 2016," Mr Sofronoff said.
"Instead, they're given the standard documents to have a look at."
The inquiry continues.
