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Final independent Ross Inquiry report complete

A supplementary report, the final report of the Ross Inquiry into PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA, has found that the North Metropolitan Health Service was ‘both thorough and appropriate’ in its review of erroneous DNA matching in 2004, and that there was no evidence of erroneous DNA matching in any other case.

The Ross Inquiry was conducted to determine whether the Forensic Biology Department of PathWest issued incorrect evidence, results or reports to the WA Police or WA Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Of the five matters covered by the Inquiry, four were addressed in the Ross Inquiry Report tabled in State Parliament on October 19, 2017.

The final matter – a review of an internal audit conducted by the North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) into erroneous DNA matching in 2004 – is subject to the supplementary report tabled today.

The supplementary report confirmed the NMHS’s audit was ‘thorough and appropriate’ and endorsed the 10 recommendations for improvements at PathWest put forward in the original Ross Inquiry Report, which related to areas including peer review, governance, IT systems, and labelling of items.

Two of the 10 recommendations have already been completed, including:

  • A State Government commitment of $4 million to relocate the PathWest Forensic Biology Department to new premises; and
  • Proposing a national methodology for peer review.

The remaining eight recommendations are being progressed by the North Metropolitan Health Service.