❓ A parliamentary question seeks data on DNA sample processing times and costs within WA Police and Pathwest. The response reveals data limitations and jurisdictional boundaries, deferring cost breakdowns to the Minister for Health.
AnsweredQoN 869Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many DNA samples are the WA Police currently waiting to have processed? (2) How many samples were WA Police waiting to have processed at each of the following dates: (a) 30 June 2008; (b) 30 June 2009; (c) 30 June 2010; (d) 30 June 2011; and (e) 30 June 2012? (3) What is the current average wait times to get a DNA sample processed? (4) What was the average wait time for each of the last five years? (5) What is the current average wait times for the processing of a priority DNA sample? (6) What was the average wait time for the processing of a DNA sample in each of the last five years? (7) What is the average cost of having a DNA sample processed? (8) Will the Minister provide a breakdown for each component of the cost of having a DNA sample processed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 September 2013
Responded by
Minister for Police
Response time
67 days
(1)
As at 24/07/2013 there are 64 exhibits and 141 swabs awaiting examination by Pathwest. The oldest of these items was received on 15/07/2013 (ie all less than 10 days old).
(2) (a-e)
This information is not known.
(3)
All cases are started by Pathwest within 60 days of receipt and routine property crime cases are being reported in less than 2 weeks. Serious crime cases are being processed in real time and PathWest offers priority turnaround time upon request.
(4)
This information is not known.
(5)
If WA Police advise Pathwest that they have a priority exhibit, it is processed and reported back to WA Police within 12 hours of receipt of the exhibit into the laboratory.
(6) This information is not known.
PathWest has regularly been providing a high priority (maximum turnaround time of 2 days) DNA testing service to WA Police since 2008. The turnaround time for the high priority work is now less than 12 hours.
(7) The effort of Police, including equipment, consumables, scene attendance and processing prior to analysis has not been costed.
The analytical costs for Pathwest are not under the jurisdiction of Western Australia Police. Please refer this question to the Minister for Health.
(8) The effort of Police, including equipment, consumables, scene attendance and processing prior to analysis has not been costed.
The analytical costs for Pathwest are not under the jurisdiction of Western Australia Police. Please refer this question to the Minister for Health.
As at 24/07/2013 there are 64 exhibits and 141 swabs awaiting examination by Pathwest. The oldest of these items was received on 15/07/2013 (ie all less than 10 days old).
(2) (a-e)
This information is not known.
(3)
All cases are started by Pathwest within 60 days of receipt and routine property crime cases are being reported in less than 2 weeks. Serious crime cases are being processed in real time and PathWest offers priority turnaround time upon request.
(4)
This information is not known.
(5)
If WA Police advise Pathwest that they have a priority exhibit, it is processed and reported back to WA Police within 12 hours of receipt of the exhibit into the laboratory.
(6) This information is not known.
PathWest has regularly been providing a high priority (maximum turnaround time of 2 days) DNA testing service to WA Police since 2008. The turnaround time for the high priority work is now less than 12 hours.
(7) The effort of Police, including equipment, consumables, scene attendance and processing prior to analysis has not been costed.
The analytical costs for Pathwest are not under the jurisdiction of Western Australia Police. Please refer this question to the Minister for Health.
(8) The effort of Police, including equipment, consumables, scene attendance and processing prior to analysis has not been costed.
The analytical costs for Pathwest are not under the jurisdiction of Western Australia Police. Please refer this question to the Minister for Health.
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