Statutory Report

8.19
Upon Police Officer 18 taking over the investigation he made an
immediate policy decision stating ‘family liaison to remain the
responsibility of the previous FLO’, he provided rationale: ‘this officer has
already had some contact with the families in previous meetings and
should remain given the other significant personnel changes in the
investigation’.
8.20
Police Officer 18 acknowledged the need for police senior command and
himself to meet with the families and survivors and provide them with an
update on the police investigation. As a result I am aware that together
with Police Officer 19 a meeting was held on 26 July 2005. During this
meeting it was disclosed that there were ongoing DNA forensic tests but
that these and other enquiries had been delayed due to the loss of
trained and experienced detectives arising from the Patten
recommendations. The victims and survivors did not accept this position
and considered the remarks of Police Officer 19 to be insensitive.
8.21
My investigators interviewed Police Officer 19, who was clear in his view
that he had not meant to be insensitive but needed to inform the
interested parties that he had personal concerns in respect of the
resourcing of murder enquiries at that particular time. He supported his
position by referring to the fact that the Policing Board was also
concerned and had questioned the Chief Constable in relation to his
resourcing of all murder enquiries. I understand why the victims and
survivors considered Police Officer 19’s comments to be insensitive.
8.22
At the meeting with the families Police Officer 18 was aware that there
was a positive DNA link in respect of a suspect, who had not previously
been identified in the investigation. The arrest of this individual did not
take place until 2008 due to the itinerant lifestyle of the suspect and he
was subsequently eliminated from the enquiry as a suspect. Whilst the
delay was for an extended period, I accept that locating suspects can be
a painstaking and lengthy procedure.
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