23 November 2004: THE AUTOPSY The autopsy on Mulrunji’s body was performed by a forensic pathologist on 23 November 2004. A member of the QPS investigative team was in attendance. The forensic pathologist noted a small abrasion above the right eye as the only external injury. Internal injuries included four fractured ribs, a ruptured liver and massive internal bleeding, which was determined to be the cause of death. He concluded that a massive amount of force would have been necessary to cause that level of damage to the liver. Death would have followed fairly quickly which, according to the pathologist, ruled out the possibility of the injury occurring prior to the arrest of Mulrunji. Forensic toxicology tests determined that Mulrunji had a blood alcohol level of 0.292, which is almost six times the legal limit for driving a vehicle. The cause of death was determined to be intra-abdominal hemorrhage, due to the ruptured liver and portal vein. 24 November 2004: THE CRIME AND MISCONDUCT COMMISSION TAKES CHARGE The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) is an independent body that, among other things, conducts independent investigations into misconduct in public sector agencies, including police departments. In dealing with complaints of, or potential, police misconduct, the CMC can choose to refer the matter to the Police Commissioner to investigate; monitor the Police Commissioner’s investigation; work in cooperation with the Police Commissioner to complete the investigation; or conduct the investigation on its own. On 24 November 2004, the CMC took full charge of the investigation. The CMC stated that it invoked its mandate as a result of the autopsy report. Three CMC investigators and an Aboriginal support person went to Palm Island and took over the investigation. The CMC investigators were QPS officers on secondment to the CMC. 26 November 2004: POST-MORTEM REPORT RELEASED AND RIOTS FOLLOW ON PALM ISLAND On 26 November 2004, the Coroner publicly released the autopsy report. There had been a deep and lengthy history of distrust between the QPS and the Aboriginal community on Palm Island. It was anticipated that there would be a negative reaction from the Aboriginal community once the results of the post-mortem were released. Additional police officers were sent to Palm Island. Riots erupted. The courthouse, police station and police barracks on Palm Island were burned down, including S/Sgt. Hurley’s house. Police officers and their families were forced to barricade themselves in the hospital. Approximately 80 police from Townsville and Cairns were flown to Palm Island later that day to restore order. After the riots, 28 Palm Island residents were charged with various offences including arson, unlawful assembly, wilful damage and assault on the police. The Mulrunji case | 5