This is the true story of the first widespread use of blood samples for genetic fingerprinting in a murder case. The English villages involved were shocked by the rape and death of two young women and the police went all-out to find the killer. A new technique called genetic fingerprinting was available and a decision was made to trial this by asking every man of a certain age group to come forward and give a blood sample. This would be matched against evidence found at the scenes. I found this a fascinating look at the evolution of crime scene technology. The deaths can be distressing to read about but the author has tried to present everything in factual terms. The odd joke slips in, comments made by people at the time, bringing the personalities involved to life. This book is well worth a read by anyone who likes reading police procedural mysteries or true crime stories.
Love Love Wambaugh's books. The reason it took me awhile to read this book is that I only read it on the recumbent bike or in the bathtub. An extraordinary true crime story....For the first time, Joseph Wambaugh turns his attention outside the United States to deal with two murder in neighboring English Midlnds villages. The victims of the terrifying rape murders two fifteen year old girls who do not know each other have in commmon fatal mistake they choose to walk the foot path. The murders occur three years apart, and during all those years the member of Leicestershire constabulary never give up their seach. But the psychopath might never have been caught if a geneticist doing research on DNA at a nearby university had not stumbled upon DNA mapping.
It was a voluntary blood test in Enderby, Narborough and Littlethorpe. I remember the case very well, as a girl we would drive through Narborough under the M1 bridge and my Mother would point and remind me that quiet paths were no place for single girls to use. The blood tests were deemed 'voluntary' - agreed though, these days that just wouldn't happen.
—Juli
This was recommended to me by a Criminal Justice Professor. It's the true story of the very first case solved with DNA. Two unsolved murders occurred just as the technology was being perfected at a nearby University in the Middle Villages area of England. Wambaugh has an insider's understanding of the challenges of a murder investigation---he's retired LAPD. I was very humored by the fact that lots of the men were afraid to give blood, not because they were guilty but because they were needle shy.
—Shelley
As far as I am concerned, this was Wambaugh's best true crime account. Perhaps because it is based in England, I could relate to the streets of Nottingham more than to the streets of LA, and Wambaugh's writing carries the story without prejudice. Never flinching from the darker sides of life, the book follows the progress of solving a murder case through the then groundbreaking use of DNA fingerprinting. I'm always wary of writing review cliches like "A true classic of crime literature", but, I feel in this case, it's warranted! This is a true classic of crime literature.
—Jim
