Could a mum’s murder now be solved, 16 years after she died?
DETECTIVES have passed new evidence to prosecutors they hope will finally solve a notorious murder case.
Forensic experts investigating the murder of Louise Tiffney 16 years ago are now confident they have enough to convince the Crown to bring another prosecution.
In 2005, her son, Sean Flynn, then 21, stood trial for her murder but he was acquitted on a not proven verdict.
The 43-year-old mother of two was killed in Edinburgh in 2002, but her body was only discovered in April last year in East Lothian. Although it was badly decomposed, some clothing was found on her remains, presenting opportunities for DNA testing.
Crucially, soil from the burial site was able to be tested against soil samples retained by murder squad detectives from the initial investigation.
Soil expert Professor Lorna Dawson of the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, who helped prosecutors solve the World’s End murders 37 years after Angus Sinclair killed Helen Scott and Christine Eadie, has been key to the reinvestigation.
It is understood soil from the deposition site has been matched conclusively to soil samples harvested during the original investigation.
Police Scotland has reportedly sought direction from the Crown Office as to whether the fresh evidence now gathered should lead to charges.
A source said: ‘When the case was first brought to trial, no body had been recovered. There was a compelling case, but without a body there will always be doubt.
‘Now a body has been recovered, which constitutes substantial fresh evidence, but it has also provided opportunities that were not there before, such as the possibility of recovering DNA from the victim’s clothing and the potential to match relevant soil samples with the deposition site.
‘The forensic tests and other investigations are still being conducted, but detectives have reached the stage of informing the Crown of considerable progress and seeking direction on what more they need to do to take it to trial.
‘They remain confident that the case can now be solved and bring some relief to Louise Tiffney’s loved ones.’
Mrs Tiffney was last seen leaving her flat in Edinburgh’s Dean Village in May 2002, following a row with son Sean, then 18.
Following his trial and acquittal in 2005, the case looked destined to remain unsolved. But the discovery of her body close to Gosford House Estate near Longniddry last year brought the murder back to the top of the cold case unit’s list.
After she was found, detectives appealed for help to catch her killer. DCI Keith Hardie said: ‘Whoever did this should examine their conscience.’
A Crown Office spokesman said: ‘Given this a live investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.’