Students try to solve cold case murder

A GROUP of Scots students have been called in to help police solve the murder of a headless women whose body was found more than 40 years ago.

The case – known as Operation Monton – involves the discovery of a badly decomposed body on Norfolk farmland in 1974.

And now forensic psychology students from Abertay University in Dundee are helping Norfolk Constabulary and Police Scotland with the murder investigation.

Police think the case has links to Dundee because the body was found wrapped in a National Cash Registers plastic sheet, and the hands were tied by a piece of string made from jute – for which the city is famous.

Twelve students are looking at media reports from the time of the body’s discovery to try to discover the murdered woman’s identity.

They will search for any reported missing women at the time and any murders which may have a connection with the case.

Dr Penny Woolnough, a lecturer in forensic psychology at Abertay and an expert in missing persons, said: “The police approached me to say they had a particular investigation that was ongoing and wondered if the students might be able to help with it.

“Because the wrists were tied together with jute, and because of the National Cash Registers covering that was found on the body, there’s definitely a connection to Dundee – whether that’s for the victim or the offender is not known.

“It’s a cold case that’s gone on for many years. Whether we stand a chance of solving it, we don’t know.”