Abstract:
Criminal investigation in the 1900s was marked by significant developments and challenges in the field. At the start of the century, forensic science was in its infancy, and detectives relied primarily on eyewitness testimony and circumstantial evidence to solve crimes. In the early 1900s, advances in forensic techniques, such as fingerprint analysis, DNA analysis and ballistics, began to make their mark. These techniques enabled investigators to link suspects to crime scenes and weapons, providing more concrete evidence to support prosecutions.
However, the 1900s also saw a rise in organized crime, with criminal syndicates like the Mafia becoming more powerful and influential. This presented new challenges for law enforcement, as these organizations operated with a level of sophistication and secrecy that made them difficult to investigate. Throughout the century, the use of technology in criminal investigation continued to evolve, with the introduction of DNA analysis in the latter half of the 20th century providing a powerful new tool for identifying suspects and solving crimes.
Despite these advances, however, criminal investigation remained a complex and challenging field, requiring skilled and dedicated professionals to solve cases and bring perpetrators to justice.
Keywords: Rape, crime scene investigation, DNA, homicide,
Introduction:
In criminal investigations, forensic scientists may analyse physical evidence such as blood, hair, fibres, fingerprints, or DNA to help identify suspects and provide evidence for use in court. They may also use advanced imaging techniques or computer analysis to reconstruct crime scenes or analyse digital evidence such as emails or social media posts.
The Lynda Mann case refers to the tragic murder of a 15-year-old girl in the village of Narborough, Leicestershire, England, in 1983. Lynda Mann had been sexually assaulted and strangled while walking home from a friend's house. The case remained unsolved for over three years, despite a thorough investigation by local police. However, in 1986, DNA profiling was used for the first time in a criminal investigation to link a suspect to the crime scene. The suspect was Colin Pitchfork, a local bakery worker who had coerced a friend to provide a DNA sample for him.
Pitchfork was subsequently arrested and convicted of the murder of Lynda Mann, as well as the murder of another young girl, Dawn Ashworth, who had been killed in a similar manner in the same area two years later. The Lynda Mann case was a landmark in the use of DNA profiling in criminal investigations, and Pitchfork's conviction helped establish the technology as a powerful tool in identifying and prosecuting criminals.
Case Study Report:
Lynda Mann was a 15-year-old girl who lived in the village of Narborough, Leicestershire, England. On the evening of November 21, 1983, Lynda was walking home from a friend's house when she was attacked, sexually assaulted, and strangled to death. Her body was found the next morning in a wooded area near a footpath that she had been known to use. The investigation of Lynda Mann's murder was extensive but initially yielded no suspects. The police collected physical evidence from the crime scene, including semen samples and clothing fibres, but were unable to identify a suspect from these materials. The police also conducted interviews with local residents and appealed to the public for information but to no avail.
Two years after the murder of Lynda Mann, on July 31, 1986, 15-year-old Dawn Ashworth was found dead in a wooded area near the village of Enderby, just a few miles from Narborough. Like Lynda, she had been sexually assaulted and strangled to death.
During the investigation of Dawn Ashworth's murder, police conducted a door-to-door inquiry, took over 5,000 blood samples from local men, and used psychological profiling to identify potential suspects. However, they were unable to find a match.
It was then that investigators turned to DNA profiling, which had been used to solve the Lynda Mann case just a few months earlier. DNA samples were collected from men in the area, and the results were compared to the DNA found on the crime scene.
Investigation:
Despite an extensive investigation by local police, the case remained unsolved for over three years.
The suspect was identified as Colin Pitchfork, a local bakery worker who had coerced a friend to provide a DNA sample for him.
Forensic Analysis of the case:
The forensic analysis of the Lynda Mann case was significant in the use of DNA profiling to identify and convict the killer, Colin Pitchfork. The following is a detailed forensic analysis of the case.
Crime Scene Analysis: The crime scene was located in a wooded area near a footpath that Lynda Mann was known to use. The body of Lynda Mann was found partially clothed, with evidence of sexual assault and strangulation. Forensic experts collected a range of evidence from the crime scene, including semen samples and clothing fibres.
DNA Profiling: At the time of the murder, DNA profiling was a new and innovative forensic technique. However, the forensic team collected semen samples from the victim's body, which were sent to the newly established Forensic Science Service for analysis. The semen samples were found to contain two distinct types of sperm, which indicated that there were two different contributors to the sample.
The first type of sperm matched the DNA profile of Colin Pitchfork, who was subsequently arrested, charged, and convicted of the murder. The second type of sperm was later determined to have originated from an unknown person, but it did not belong to any suspects in the case.
Fibre Analysis: In addition to DNA profiling, fibre analysis was also conducted on clothing fibres found on the victim's body. The fibres were identified as having originated from a green, cotton garment, which led investigators to believe that the killer had been wearing such clothing at the time of the murder.
Punishment:
Colin Pitchfork, the killer in the Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth murder cases, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the two murders in January 1988. He was given a minimum term of 30 years, which was later reduced to 28 years on appeal.
Pitchfork's sentence was one of the longest minimum terms ever handed down in the UK at the time. The judge in the case described Pitchfork as a "very wicked and dangerous man" and noted the devastating impact that his crimes had had on the families of the victims.
Pitchfork was also placed on the sex offender register for life and was subject to a number of other conditions, including restrictions on his movements and regular reporting to the police. He was eventually released from prison in 2021 after serving 33 years in custody.
Conclusion:
The forensic analysis of the Lynda Mann case was significant in the use of DNA profiling to identify and convict the killer, Colin Pitchfork. The case demonstrated the power of forensic science in solving crimes and the value of collecting and preserving evidence from crime scenes. The use of DNA profiling in the case established the technology as a powerful tool in identifying and prosecuting criminals and helped to pave the way for its use in future criminal investigations.
Author:
Ms Riya Ghosh
Volunteer- AFRS
