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The Coldest Case – The 60th Anniversary of the Betty Shanks murder
could phyically see blood, and you
might then get DNA analysis. Now,
they swab areas where you can see
nothing, and through microscopic
analysis, we can get DNA profiles.
‘The methodologies and technical
capabilities of analysis has just blown
us out of the water, so the way we do
our business with the forensic people
has totally changed.
‘Obviously, with cold cases, the crime
scene is no longer there,’ Det Supt
Wilkins continues, ‘but we look at
the exhibits that were taken from the
crime scene, and we see how they
have been analysed.
“We’re trying to lie 21st century investigation
strategies and forensic techniques across a
1970s investigation.”
only three outstanding homicides that
are unsolved: two in 2009, and one in
2010. The rest have been 100% clear
up.
‘Plus the three that are outstanding,
we are certain we know who the
offenders are. We are just working
towards gathering sufficient evidence
so we can actually charge them. So
that’s very good in the last 10 years.
‘We’re a statewide response, and
we work in close conjunction with
Regional detectives,’ he continues.
‘The Regional detectives are always
the first response to a homicide, and
we provide them with additional
support.’
PROJECT RECOGNITION
The Cold Case team also does a lot
of work with Regional detectives. At
present, Det Sgt Gray is leading a
project called Project Recognition, an
in-depth examination of all the cold
cases around the state, including all
missing persons.
The Project aims to gather all of the
evidence from initial investigations,
including statements and exhibits,
and to create an electronic version of
all cases on the IMAC system.
NEW FORENSIC CAPABILITIES
‘A critical part of that is looking at
the forensic review of exhibits,’ Det
Supt Wilkins explains. ‘Our forensic
capability has significantly increased
in the last 20 years, particularly in
relation to DNA. DNA analysis is
critical now at crime scenes.
‘We’re not being critical in any way,
shape, or form of investigators in
the past, but 20 years ago, we may
have spent 24 hours at a major crime
scene. Today it’s not unusual for us to
spend two weeks there, and we hold
major crime scenes for two to three
months.
‘It’s all related to the ability of
our people to gather evidence,’
he continues. ‘Twenty years ago,
you’d go and swab areas where you
‘We have a look at our current
capabilities, and we meet with our
colleagues in the forensic services
branch and with Queensland Health
scientists, to see if we can go forward
with a re-analysis.
‘We also look at what exactly was
done, how thorough it was, and
if there were any areas missed,’
he says. ‘We’re trying to lie 21st
century investigation strategies and
“The Cold Case team
even organised a
display at the Ekka,
in an attempt to
help jog memories.”
forensic techniques across a 1970s
investigation, and we will then go
forward with an investigation if we
think it has some sort of solvability
about it.’
PATRICIA RIGGS
For example, the Cold Case
team recently determined the
disappearance of Patricia Riggs
in Rockhampton to be a case that
could be solved. They conducted a
review (including forensic) over a six
month period, and a Crime Stoppers
campaign was run.
Queensland Police Union Journal August 2012 35