Forensic Files - Season 1, Episode 4 - The Footpath Murder - Full Episode

Summary

In November 1983, the murder of 15-year-old Lynda Mann in the small village of Narborough, England, marked a turning point in criminal investigations. Despite an extensive manhunt, the case went cold until 1986, when another girl, Dawn Ashworth, was murdered in a similar fashion. DNA profiling, a groundbreaking forensic technique, was used to identify the killer, leading to Colin Pitchfork’s arrest in 1987. He had deceived authorities by having a co-worker take a DNA test on his behalf. This case became the first conviction based on DNA evidence, revolutionizing forensic science and shaping future investigations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The murder of 15-year-old Lynda Mann in Narborough, England in 1983 became the first case in the world where DNA evidence helped identify the killer.
• 😀 Lynda Mann's body was discovered near a psychiatric hospital, sparking theories about the involvement of a patient, but the investigation eventually pointed to a more ordinary suspect.
• 😀 DNA evidence collected from Lynda's body revealed a match with 10% of the male population, which initially led to no significant breakthroughs.
• 😀 The murder of another teenage girl, Dawn Ashworth, in 1986, followed a similar pattern to Lynda Mann's murder, raising suspicions that both crimes were connected.
• 😀 Richard Buckland, a 17-year-old man with a history of disturbing behavior, became the prime suspect in both murders but was later exonerated through DNA testing.
• 😀 Dr. Alec Jeffreys, a geneticist, developed the technique of DNA profiling, which helped exclude Buckland as the killer after DNA analysis showed his blood type didn't match semen samples from both victims.
• 😀 Richard Buckland was the first person in the world to be exonerated of murder through DNA profiling, which also proved the effectiveness of this emerging forensic technology.
• 😀 After Buckland's release, police launched a DNA manhunt, asking men in the local villages to voluntarily provide blood samples, narrowing down the search for the real killer.
• 😀 Colin Pitchfork, a bakery worker, avoided giving a DNA sample by getting a co-worker to take the test for him, but was eventually caught after his deception was revealed by a tip from a witness.
• 😀 Colin Pitchfork was convicted of both murders in 1988, becoming the first person convicted through DNA profiling, which revolutionized forensic investigations worldwide.

Q & A

What breakthrough helped solve the murder case of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth?

The breakthrough that helped solve the case was the use of DNA profiling, a technique that had never been used in criminal investigations before. This method identified the perpetrator by comparing genetic samples taken from the victims' bodies with those of suspects.

What was unusual about the murders of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth?

Both murders took place in a quiet village, Narborough, where violent crimes were extremely rare. The victims were young teenage girls who were walking alone at night, and both were strangled and sexually assaulted in similar circumstances, making the cases particularly chilling.

Why were police initially suspicious of Richard Buckland as the prime suspect?

Police were suspicious of Richard Buckland because he was familiar with details about the crime that had not been made public, and he was unable to provide a solid alibi for the time of Dawn Ashworth's murder. Additionally, his reputation in the village for scaring girls raised further concerns.

How did Richard Buckland become the first person exonerated through DNA profiling?

Richard Buckland was exonerated after DNA profiling revealed that his DNA did not match the semen found on either of the victims. This was a groundbreaking result because DNA profiling had never been used in a criminal case before to prove someone's innocence.

What was the significance of Alec Jeffreys' discovery of DNA profiling?

Alec Jeffreys' discovery of DNA profiling revolutionized forensic science. His method of analyzing DNA sequences allowed for precise identification of individuals based on genetic material, which became crucial in solving cases like that of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.

Why did police conduct a DNA manhunt in Narborough and Enderby?

After Richard Buckland's exoneration, police conducted a DNA manhunt to identify the real killer. They asked all men between the ages of 13 and 33 in Narborough and Enderby to volunteer DNA samples. The hope was that the killer, if living in the area, would be identified through this mass testing.

How did Colin Pitchfork evade detection during the DNA manhunt?

Colin Pitchfork evaded detection by convincing his co-worker Ian Kelly to take the DNA test on his behalf. Pitchfork had Ian Kelly provide a blood sample for the manhunt, and this deception went undetected until a young woman overheard Kelly bragging about the switch.

What led to Colin Pitchfork's eventual arrest?

Colin Pitchfork was arrested after Ian Kelly boasted in a pub about taking the DNA test for him. A young woman overheard the conversation and alerted the police, which led to the identification of Pitchfork as the murderer.

What was the outcome for Colin Pitchfork after his arrest?

Colin Pitchfork confessed to the murders of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth after his arrest. He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to life in prison. He became the first person ever convicted based on DNA profiling.

What was the impact of this case on the use of DNA profiling in criminal investigations?

This case marked the first successful use of DNA profiling in a criminal investigation, setting a precedent for its future use in law enforcement worldwide. The technology revolutionized forensic science and is now widely used in solving criminal cases.