Queensland authorities are set to review every DNA sample connected to a major crime since early 2018 where testing showed insufficient or no DNA after a report found there was a potential for the miscarriage of justice.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced an inquiry to investigate operations at the Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services (QHFSS) lab in June, after Queensland police announced it was reviewing cases deemed to have "insufficient DNA for further processing".
Retired judge Walter Sofronoff was appointed to head the inquiry and his interim findings were discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday and then released to the public.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the government would accept in full all three of the recommendations from the interim report.
She said molecular biologist Professor Frank Gannon would be appointed to oversee re-testing of samples alongside police, the Department of Justice and the Attorney-General's office.
Ms D'Ath said the situation was "extremely serious" and could lead to "the potential of miscarriage of justice".
"We are not just correcting statements before the court, we are going to identify every sample that falls in to the priority two group that fell within the range that is prescribed," she said.
"That work will be undertaken as matter of urgency.
"But what we do know is even if there's one, just one case, one victim, one alleged perpetrator, where the DNA shows a connection, either partially or full, to someone involved in a crime, that we have a responsibility to act and provide that person with justice in whatever way we can."
In his report, Mr Sofronoff said there was the potential that in some cases "the chance of conviction is forever lost".
"In cases in which ignorance of the truth led to an actual acquittal, the laws of double jeopardy would, in most cases, preclude useful re-examination of the evidence," Mr Sofronoff said.
Police establish task force to review 'backlog' of cases
Earlier on Tuesday, Ms Palaszczuk described interim findings of a commission of inquiry into the state's forensic laboratory as "incredibly concerning" and "shocking".
"I am incredibly concerned, there will be quick action that will need to be taken straight away," she said.
It comes as Queensland police on Tuesday revealed it had established Task Force Helix "a couple of weeks ago" to review a "backlog" of cases where the laboratory had been involved.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler said the task force could potentially investigate thousands of cases where DNA samples had not met the lab's testing thresholds.
"In terms of numbers, it is in the thousands, so there is a fair bit of work to get through," he said.
"We have established a task force to work through identifying and reviewing evidentiary samples for additional testing with Queensland Health.
"They are all very, very seasoned detectives, and we'll work through that back log as quickly as we can.
"We want to see, wherever possible, good outcomes, particularly for our victims across the state."
Public hearings for the inquiry are set to begin next Monday.
A police hotline has been established for affected victims of crime on 1300 993 191.
