The Hunt for the World's End Killers

Original version

A BBC TV channel for Scotland which will broadcast every evening and will show drama, factual, comedy and news programmes made in Scotland

BBC Scotland

A BBC TV channel for Scotland which will broadcast every evening and will show drama, factual, comedy and news programmes made in Scotland


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Factual: Crime & Justice: True Crime

The story of one of Scotland’s most notorious double murders.

The story of one of Scotland’s most notorious double murders. This series charts the twists and turns of a case that remained unsolved for over 35 years.

BBC One

BBC One Scotland

Scotland

Simulcast of BBC One Scotland in high definition. From 14/01/2013

BBC One Scotland HD

BBC Scotland HD

Matt Pinder

Mick McAvoy

Paul McGinness

Charley McHugh

The Hunt for the World's End Killers: Series 1: Episode 2

Episode 2

Series 1

BBC One - The Hunt for the World's End Killers, Series 1, Episode 2

Detectives in Edinburgh hunt the killers of two young women.

Detectives in Edinburgh hunt the killers of two young women who were found brutally murdered after a night at the World’s End pub.


In this episode, Ian Rankin explains that by the dawn of the 80s, the only hope of catching the World’s End killers lay with the people developing new techniques in forensic science.

Astonishing archive footage reveals how policing underwent a revolution throughout the decade, fuelled by advances in forensic science, DNA fingerprinting and information technology. The programme also reveals how the FBI’s pioneering advances in forensic psychology led to hopes that psychological profiles of the World’s End killers could be created. Retired DCC Tom Wood reveals that he travelled to the FBI's headquarters with files on the unsolved murders from the late 70s in search of answers. 

In the late 80s, advances in DNA fingerprinting technology also brought hope to the detectives on the case. Some biological evidence had been discovered on Helen Scott’s coat, and forensic scientists succeeded in using it to obtain a clear DNA profile. However, when they tried to match it with existing DNA profiles held on police records across the UK, no match could be found.

Through the 90s, further advances in forensic science meant that DNA analysis became both more sensitive and more effective. A reanalysis of the stain on Helen’s coat revealed that there was more than one person’s DNA present. This second sample was examined and matched to notorious sexual offender Angus Sinclair, who was serving two life sentences in Peterhead Prison.

Investigators then desperately try and discover which other murders might have been committed by Sinclair, and this episode reveals how the first trial against Sinclair would go on to controversially collapse. It would take a change in the law and a new advance in forensic science to see him finally brought to justice.

The Hunt for the World's End Killers: Series 1

The story of one of Scotland’s most notorious double murders, charting the twists and turns of a case that remained unsolved for over 35 years.

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The Hunt for the World's End Killers

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