Major forensics failures in a government-run laboratory seriously compromised the police investigation into Shandee’s murder, one of Australia’s most respected DNA experts finds. After months examining the case for Shandee’s Story, forensic biologist Dr Kirsty Wright is convinced critical problems thwarted the lab’s ability to generate DNA profiles from crime scenes - potentially allowing a killer to get away with murder. Dr Wright finds the lab couldn’t find DNA in a sample of blood, or trace DNA from John Peros in his own car. She says all the results in Shandee’s case need to be retested by an independent laboratory, and that doing so could uncover the killer’s DNA.
Subscribers to The Australian have exclusive first access to episodes of Shandee's Story via The Australian app. Subscribe to The Australian here.

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Also get it on Google Play here.
To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story email here - Shandee@theaustralian.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 7 - Bad Science

Shandee Blackburn was brutally murdered as she walked home from work - but this cold-case can still be solved. Gold Walkley-winning journalist Hedley Thomas - who created The Teacher&rsquo;s Pet and The Night Driver - goes deep to find out who killed Shandee, and why.&nbsp;
Episodes of the podcast first, plus exclusive stories, videos, pictures and extraordinary evidence are available with a subscription through The Australian's app, or at shandee.com.au
To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story email here -&nbsp;Shandee@theaustralian.com.au
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True crime

We're covering another huge trial every day on The Australian's daily news podcast The Front.
Find out more about The Front podcast here. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app.
This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet, and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Original music is composed by Jasper Leak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear Live Lehrmann trial updates

There was no fanfare when Commissioner Annabelle Bennett SC handed down her findings from the Project 13 inquiry.
Only disappointment that the inquiry failed to hold anyone responsible for the biggest disaster in the lab’s history. 
In this episode of Shandee’s Legacy, Dr Kirsty Wright joins Hedley Thomas, Claire Harvey, and David Murray to dissect and comment on the findings from this rare second inquiry, the future of a lab at the heart of the criminal justice system, and the case which started all of this: the slaying of Shandee Blackburn in 2013.
To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.
For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.
If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shandee’s Legacy Episode 14: Closing Ranks

Public hearings in a second inquiry into the lab and the disastrous Project 13 have concluded. Closing submissions have been delivered. And still questions are left unanswered.
Why was the automated process unleashed on precious crime-scene samples? Who wrote the mysterious and damning Project 13 report? And why didn’t the lab’s new boss flag it in the first inquiry?
In this episode, Hedley Thomas, David Murray, and Matthew Condon dissect a baffling week in Brisbane’s Magistrates Court – and what it all means for the investigation into the murder of Shandee Blackburn.
To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.

For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.
If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shandee’s Legacy Episode 13:  Science Speak

Public hearings for a rare second inquiry into catastrophic failings at Queensland’s besieged forensics lab are about to get underway in Brisbane. 
In this episode of Shandee’s Legacy, Hedley Thomas, David Murray, Claire Harvey, and Matthew Condon drill down into the questions yet to be answered about Project 13: who knew what and when, and why didn’t the lab’s new boss raise it at the first inquiry? 
We also get to know the new legal team brought in to lead the new inquiry.
To read The Australian's reporting and analysis of the inquiry, search Shandee's Story or visit shandee.com.au.
For daily updates, subscribe to The Front in your podcast app.
If you need support, Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shandee’s Legacy Episode 12: History Repeating

The Queensland government will reopen an inquiry into its troubled DNA lab after new evidence of flawed automated testing processes emerged.
Find out more about The Front podcast here and subscribe in your podcast app. You can read about this story and more on The Australian's website or on The Australian’s app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 7 - Bad Science

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