A New South Wales Coroner’s Court investigation has determined that racism and bias significantly hampered the initial police inquiry into the 1986 death of Mark Haines. The court found the investigation was “superficial” and lacked thoroughness, directly attributing this to prevailing racial attitudes at the time. This conclusion comes 38 years after Haines’s death, highlighting long-standing concerns about systemic issues within law enforcement. The coroner’s findings suggest investigators did not pursue all available leads, potentially impacting the search for truth surrounding the circumstances of his death. The case underscores the enduring impact of racial bias on investigations and the pursuit of justice. This ruling offers a degree of closure for Haines’s family, who have long advocated for a more comprehensive examination of the events. The court’s report is expected to prompt further scrutiny of historical cases and police procedures.