Police use new DNA tests to probe 16 cold case murders
POLICE are investigating 16 ‘cold case’ murders as DNA advances allow unsolved homicides to be reopened.
Forensics experts are helping to assess whether or not exhibits sealed after unsuccessful investigations years ago may yield crucial evidence.
The figure emerged in a Scottish Police Authority (SPA) report on its forensics department caseload.
Cold cases being examined include the murder of 14-year-old Caroline Glachan, whose body was found by the River Leven in Bonhill, Dunbartonshire, in 1996.
Detectives ordered new tests on 300 pieces of evidence relating to the killing in August last year.
Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr said: ‘DNA testing is on a different planet in terms of scientific advances since the items were first tested in 1996.’
Last night Tom Nelson, director of the SPA’s forensic services, said: ‘The decision to conduct a cold case inquiry lies with Police Scotland and the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
‘The role of forensic services is to carry out specific analysis and provide evidence to the court.
‘The court then decides on the value of this evidence and the subsequent outcome of a case. As with all cases, we work with our partners in Police Scotland and the COPFS to prioritise workloads.’
Other inquiries include the reopening in 2015 of a probe into the murder of Aberdeen University scientist Dr Brenda Page, 32, who was found battered to death at her Aberdeen home on July 14, 1978.
Cold case successes include the conviction of James McGowan – father of former Hearts footballer Ryan McGowan – who was found guilty of the 1999 murder of his brother-in-law Owen Brannigan in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.
DNA advances also helped secure the conviction in November 2014 of Angus Sinclair for the 1977 World’s End pub murders.
Former soldier John Docherty was jailed for a minimum of 21 years in June 2014 for strangling 16-yearold Elaine Doyle in Greenock, Renfrewshire, in 1986 – the first successful cold case conviction.
Technological advances meant DNA from the teenager’s body could finally be linked to him.
The Crown Office’s cold case unit was launched in 2011 by the then Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland.
Explaining the rationale for the creation of the unit last year, he said: ‘Many families think they have been forgotten about, that nobody was taking an interest in their loved ones who had been murdered or had disappeared.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘The Scottish Homicide Governance Board, which involves the COPFS and Police Scotland, meets regularly to review outstanding cases to take advantage of those new opportunities which may deliver justice for grieving families.
‘We would welcome any information that could assist any cold case investigation.’