Decades after helping catch the Camden Ripper with innovative forensic techniques, a UWL forensics expert and former police officer has relived his part in the investigation for a TV documentary.

The story of how forensic evidence helped convict serial killer, Anthony Hardy of the murders of three women in London in 2003 will be aired on television later this year, featuring original insight from Brian Hook.

Brian, a forensic sciences lecturer at UWL’s School of Human and Social Sciences, worked as a homicide detective in the police force for much of his earlier career, and was involved in uncovering the vital evidence used to bring the killer to justice.  

Speaking to documentary makers about the processes used, he explained how teams test for blood in criminal cases, and how this case saw the process was used as evidence for the first time in a UK trial.  

The documentary will be shown on Channel 5 later this year.  

UWL’s School of Human and Social Sciences offers expert teaching in everything from criminology, policing and psychology to addiction studies, forensic science and nutritional therapy.