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The federal government has endorsed plans for a major overhaul of the way law enforcement agencies and testing labs deal with DNA evidence.

The reform plan, much of which which needs co-operation from the states, calls for new rules governing access to DNA samples and greater oversight of DNA testing laboratories.

If implemented, the plan would subject labs to internal and external auditing, and forensic analysis of DNA samples would be conducted only by labs accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities. "In principle, the government supports all of the recommendations of the review," Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said.

The review, which covers the regulation of DNA forensic testing procedures, was undertaken by a committee chaired by Peter Ford that included representatives of the Ombudsman's office and federal agencies responsible for law enforcement and privacy.

Mr O'Connor said the government was consulting stakeholders, including the Australian Federal Police and CrimTrac, about progress on recommendations that are wholly focused on commonwealth aspects of DNA forensic procedures.

These include strengthening the Commonwealth Ombudsman's auditing role in relation to the National...