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The First Blood Test

Two murders in two villages, solved by a brand-new science.

Leicestershire, EnglandWhere
1983–87When
HardDifficulty
About 40 minTo play
Briefing · Case 005For your eyes only

What we know so far

In November 1983, 15-year-old Lynda Mann was found murdered beside a footpath known locally as the Black Pad, near the village of Narborough in Leicestershire. Despite a huge inquiry, her killer was never found.

In July 1986, another 15-year-old girl, Dawn Ashworth, was found murdered near a footpath called Ten Pound Lane in the next village, Enderby. This time police made a quick arrest: a young local man confessed.

But a few miles away, at the University of Leicester, a scientist named Alec Jeffreys had just discovered something that was about to change police work for ever.

Your job

Who killed Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth?

On the caseLeicestershire Constabulary, with Dr Alec Jeffreys