Professor David Wilson, the UK's leading criminologist, presents the third series of Crime Files, this time focusing on cold cases. In episode 8, David interrogates the unique Scottish verdict of ‘Not Proven'. Travelling to Ardlamont Estate in Argyll, he takes a look at the historic mystery of the death of Cecil Hambrough in 1893.
The trial was a public sensation and held in Edinburgh – which at that time was at the forefront of forensic medicine. Alfred John Monson was released a free man having received a 'not proven' verdict. Author Daniel Smith joins David to discuss the impact of Cecil's murder and the trial which captured the nation's imagination.
Lawyer and academic James Chalmers tells David about the brutal murder of Amanda Duffy in Hamilton in 1992. Despite what appeared to be an abundance of forensic evidence the accused was also given a Not Proven verdict.
David, this series, is joined in studio by our resident Forensic Scientist Helen Meadows. This week Helen will review both the cases of Cecil Hambrough and Amada Duffy and analyse the wealth of forensic evidence left behind. They'll compare the different eras and how problems with communicating scientific evidence to juries still persists to this day.
Former prosecutor and crime writer Allan Nicol is David's last guest and they chat about the impact of the third verdict on Scottish justice and what would happen if it were to be removed.

Starring:

Professor David Wilson

Genre:

Crime