Networked Knowledge - Media Report

This version of the report has been prepared by: Dr Robert N Moles

DNA Homepage
Go to: A state of Injustice - table of contents
Go to: Losing Their Grip - The Case of Henry Keogh - table of contents

On 6 August 2008 News.com / AAP reported “7000 cases solved using DNA to get review”.

It said police in Victoria will have to re-examine every crime solved using DNA after admitting evidence used to lay a murder charge was contaminated. Deputy Commissioner Simon Overland said today 7000 cases were being reviewed. Murder charges were today withdrawn against Russell John Gesah who was last month charged with the 1984 murders of Margaret and Seana Tapp. The charges were withdrawn after it was discovered DNA evidence implicating Gesah was contaminated in a Victoria Police laboratory in 1999. "This was a result of human error and that's why we have systems in place," Mr Overland said. cThe DNA process itself is not in question."

Police have apologised to Gesah and to the Tapp family. The bodies of Margaret Tapp, 35, and her nine-year-old daughter Seana were found in their Ferntree Gully home on August 8, 1984. Seana had been sexually assaulted before both she and her mother were strangled in their beds. Police said at the time a breakthrough in the case using DNA technology had prompted Gesah's arrest. Investigators had compared DNA evidence found on an item of Seana's clothing with tens of thousands of profiles on the national DNA computer database before coming up with an alleged match.

Police say the withdrawal of charges came after doubts were cast about the validity of the DNA evidence in the case. "We have notified the family of Margaret and Seana Tapp and a senior member from Victoria Police has explained the problems with the process that took place," police said. "We deeply regret the development in this case and would like to apologise to all concerned." Mr Overland said 500 cases had been reviewed without any problems.

Top of Page