THE MALCOLM FAIRLEY CASE
Context
In 1984, there were seen many break-in cases which consisted of extreme violent sexual attacks to the victims. It was seen throughout Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Many cases were reported and the details given by the victims pointed out to one particular suspect who had some specific characteristic features. The suspect was also observed to be continuing with his heinous acts in various towns including Cheddington, Tring, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard, and many others.
Features of the suspect
• He wore a hood
• Carried a sawn-off shotgun
• Spoke in a Northern accent
• He wore a watch on his right wrist
• Was believed to be left- handed
After the series of break-ins, the suspect became famous as “The Fox”.
Incident
On 17th August, 1984, a similar break-in occurred in the town of Brampton, Yorkshire. The culprit broke into the house of a couple early one morning. He tied them up and raped the wife. He even tried to clean up after himself. He cut off the part of the bed sheet that had his semen traces. But, fortunately, he did not clean up his entry point which was outside the premises of the couple’s house.
Evidences found
The incident was soon reported to the police and the investigation began within no time. Various items were found as evidence which was sought to be helpful in finding out the culprit.
The evidences found were as follows:
• Tyre track marks
• Poorly-hidden shotgun
• Footprints
• A semen-smeared bed linin fabric
• Some pecks of yellow paint on a tree branch.
Crucial Evidence
Even with a long list of specific evidences, the police investigators were unable to match the evidence to a specific suspect due to lack of relevant databases. Soon they turned to the paint evidence which they thought might be least helpful.
The paint fragments found on the branch of the tree was analyzed thoroughly. The examination of the recovered small paint fragments were concluded to be a type of car paint and is used by motor vehicle company known to be British Leyland. They were also successful in deducing that the paint belonged specifically to one particular car model- The 1973-1975 Austin Allegro.
With this specific information, the police began to interview potential suspects that owned that model of car. About 1,500 people who purchased the model were reduced down to potential suspects and the suspect who fitted with the profile of the suspect was deduced. The police arrived at Fairley’s residence to interview him. They found Fairley cleaning his Yellow Austin Allegro car which had many scratches in it.
As per the description of the prior victims, the suspect wore a watch on his right hand. The police, therefore, asked Fairley to put on a watch which he did with his left hand and wore it on his right wrist. The police was now, sure enough, to detain him.
Paint evidence analysis
Physical examination of the paint was the first stage examination which was conducted and it matched with the questioned sample. Next, the chemical makeups of the samples were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The binders, pigments, solvents and additives contained molecules specific to the chemicals used in the paint formula.
The questioned paint fragments found on the tree branch and the sample collected from Fairley’s vehicle matched which eventually led the police to the suspect who owned that specific vehicle.
Verdict
Fairley was arrested soon after the forensic report came in. In February 1985, Fairley was tried in the court and was convicted of number of counts of burglary, rape and sexual assault. He was thus sentenced to 6 life terms in prison.
Author:- Srishti Dutta
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