With only 75 per cent certainty that Kappen is their killer, Paul asks Jackie to carry out an exhumation. Despite her hesitance, Jackie agrees but warns Paul that he must not mess up, and of the dangers this could bring to SWP's reputation. Not only do they need additional permission from higher up the ladder and from the girls’ families, but also approval from Kappen's family. Paul also needs to convince his team, who very much feel the pressure and are far from on board.

Phil and Geraint revisit Christine to seek her approval, where she also discloses new information that Kappen had suddenly gone to Lincoln, the day after the initial murder of Sandra Newton.

Phil meets with the relatives of Kappen, whose body is buried in a family plot, whilst Paul tries to persuade home secretary David Blunkett to approve the exhumation. At the exhumation’s press conference, the press manage to get hold of the line of enquiry regarding Willoughby, and question why Paul isn’t eliminating all individuals before potentially ruining the lives of someone else.

As Paul directs all his attention to the exhumation, Phil and Geraint take matters into their own hands. Worried that he’s placing all his eggs in one basket, the team attempt to place the last of their efforts into tracking Willoughby without Phil’s knowledge. As Kappen’s family, Sita, the press and the local community stand by, Kappen’s coffin is lifted from his place of rest and taken to a nearby mortuary for forensic examination.

The outcome is a success, and Kappen’s DNA is found to be an exact match. As the case is drawn to a close, Paul visits the families in a final attempt to relinquish some of their grief and bring them some closure. However, for Paul and the families, after years of searching and agonising longing, any sense of closure which they may have hoped for is out of reach. Show less