CASE STUDY NAME: Colin Pitchfork’s Case (1983 – 1988)
Written By: Ceren Kanlısoy
Volunteer
Shivi Forensics
DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE: Colin Pitchfork's case is significant in the history of forensic science, marking the first instance where DNA evidence was used to convict a perpetrator and to establish someone's innocence. Pitchfork was convicted of the rape and murder of two 15-year-old girls, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth; both from Narborough, Leicestershire, England.
TYPE OF CASE: Murder and Rape
CASE DATES: Although he had multiple convictions for sexual offenses, there were only two victims found :
1. Lynda Mann: November 21, 1983
Took a shortcut on her way home from babysitting instead of following her usual route. When she didn't return, her parents and neighbors searched for her throughout the night. Her body was discovered the next morning.
Dawn Ashworth and Lynda Mann
2. Dawn Ashworth: July 31, 1986
Left her home to visit a friend's house. Her parents expected her to return at 9:30 pm; but she failed, they called the police to report her missing. Two days later, her body was found.
INVESTIGATION DATE AND TIME: The investigation into Colin Pitchfork's crimes began in 1983 with the murder of Lynda Mann. The case remained unsolved until three years later when a similar crime occurred – the murder of Dawn Ashworth, in 1986.
I.O.David Baker
INVESTIGATING OFFICER (I.O.): Detective Chief Superintendent David Baker.
He played a key role in coordinating the investigation and implementing the DNA profiling technique developed by Alec Jeffreys.
EVIDENCE FOUND AT THE CRIME SCENES:
● Lynda's body was found near a footpath called the Black Pad in Narborough, with semen samples of blood type A recovered.
● Dawn's body was discovered in Ten Pound Lane, Narborough. Similar to the first case, semen samples were collected from her which matched the DNA profile from Lynda Mann’s case.
⮚ The connection between the both cases are locations, modus operandi, blood type, and the similarities of the victims indicated that the same person had committed both crimes and the killer was a local.
CONCLUSION: The prime suspect in the double rape and murder investigation was a local 17-year-old with learning difficulties, Richard Buckland who appeared to know Dawn’s body and even admitted to the crime under questioning. However, DNA from semen samples found at both crime scenes did not match his blood sample.
The police then conducted the world's first mass DNA screening, asking 5,000 men from three villages to volunteer blood samples. Pitchfork evaded detection by paying his colleague, Ian Kelly to take the test on his behalf, but his deception was uncovered when someone overheard the colleague discussing it at a pub.
On September 19, 1987, Pitchfork was arrested. A DNA sample taken from him was matched to evidence from the crime scene, revealing the truth. He confessed to the rape and murder of the two girls.
MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS: The case had profound medicolegal implications as it was the first to utilize DNA profiling in criminal investigations.
Sir Alec Jeffreys
In 1984, Alec Jeffreys uncovered the unique variations in DNA specific to each individual. Working in the Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester, he developed the technique of genetic fingerprinting, also known as genetic profiling. This innovation allowed the police to compare DNA from crime scenes with samples collected from local men. This groundbreaking method not only proved the innocence of a suspect but also identified Colin Pitchfork as the true culprit.
AUTOPSY FINDINGS: The autopsy revealed that Lynda and Dawn both had been sexually assaulted and strangled.
FINAL JUDGEMENT: Pitchfork was sentenced to life imprisonment on 22 January 1988 after pleading guilty to both murders.
CURRENT STATUS OF THE CASE: Pitchfork was originally sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years, which was later reduced to 28 years. He was released on a conditional license in September 2021.
However, less than two months after his release, Pitchfork was recalled to prison for breaching his license conditions. A parole board hearing in December 2023 recommended that he should not be eligible for release. Despite this, an appeal was lodged, and Pitchfork will face a new hearing.
Dawn Ashworth's mother has expressed outrage at the decision, and politicians from various parties have intervened. A new hearing is scheduled for 2024.
REFERENCES:
● BBC News. (2024, August 14). *Colin Pitchfork: Double child murderer denied prison release*. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-66985173
● ITV News. (2023, December 7). *Colin Pitchfork: The day DNA fingerprinting convicted its first murderer*. https://www.itv.com/news/central/2023-12-07/colin-pitchfork-the-day-dna-fingerprinting-convicted-its-first-murderer
● Sky News. (2024, August 21). Who is Colin Pitchfork? The double child murderer waiting to see if he’ll be released from prison. Sky News. https://news.sky.com/story/who-is-colin-pitchfork-the-double-child-murderer-waiting-to-see-if-hell-be-released-from-prison-12914724
● Tutor2u. (2024, August 14). Criminology in the news: The case of Colin Pitchfork. Tutor2u. https://www.tutor2u.net/criminology/blog/criminology-in-the-news-the-case-of-colin-pitchfork
● About Forensics. (n.d.). Colin Pitchfork. About Forensics. https://aboutforensics.co.uk/colin-pitchfork/
● Leicester Mercury. (2022, February 8). Detective who hunted down Colin Pitchfork gives first interview in years. Leicester Mercury. https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/detective-who-hunted-down-colin-6518006
● National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Case Study: Alec Jeffreys. Visible Proofs: Forensic Views of the Body. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved August 21, 2024, from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/visibleproofs/galleries/cases/jeffreys.html
● Wikipedia. (2024, August 19). Colin Pitchfork. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Pitchfork
Thank you
){kind=link}
0 Comments