Public Hearing 13: 4 - 7 July and 15 August 2023

The next public hearing of the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes will focus on the investigative practices of the NSW Police Force between 1970 and 2010, and any changes to these practices and procedures that that have occurred since that time.  

This hearing of the Inquiry will be conducted from 10am each day over a period of three days from 4 to 6 July 2023 at the Chief Secretary’s Building, Level 2, 121 Macquarie Street, Sydney. The hearings are open to the public and will be livestreamed via the Inquiry’s website.

It is expected that the public hearing will include evidence relating to:

  1. The investigative processes of the NSW Police Force, including the processes for handling and storing exhibits and other police records;
  2. The training and education of NSW Police Force homicide detectives, including their training and education in relation to suspected bias crime and in dealing with the LGBTIQ community;
  3. The process the Unsolved Homicide Team adopts in reviewing unsolved homicides; and
  4. The developments in DNA technology and forensic science, including the relevance of those developments to the investigation of unsolved homicides or cold case investigations.

The Inquiry will hear from senior NSW Police officers involved in these matters, as well as a representative of the Forensic and Analytical Science Service.

It is anticipated that the following witnesses will be called to give oral evidence during this hearing:

  • Assistant Commissioner Rashelle Conroy – Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command
  • Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty – Commander, Homicide Squad
  • Superintendent Roger Best – Crime Scene Services Branch
  • Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw – Homicide Squad
  • Detective Inspector Nigel Warren – Homicide Squad
  • Sharon Neville – Forensic and Analytical Science Service
  • Dr Cheryl Allsop – Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of South Wales

The Honourable Justice John Sackar will preside at the hearing. Counsel Assisting the Inquiry will be James Emmett SC and Rebecca McEwen.

Written Submissions and Statements

Warning: Please be advised that these written submissions may contain graphic content. If you are experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Transcripts

Exhibits

Exhibit-51

Exhibit-52

Exhibit-53

Exhibit-54

Exhibit-55

Exhibit-65

Exhibit-66