Code of a Killer

Great historical account of the forensic tool used so extensively today. Really enjoyed finding how this was used in the murder investigation. Sir Alec Jeffreys was knighted for this scientific discovery. Only thing I don't understand is why it was not worthy of a Nobel Prize.

In the 1980s, Colin Pitchfork raped and murdered two teenage girls. The story of those horrific crimes has been minutely documented because this was the first time DNA fingerprinting/profiling was used in a criminal case. Although "Code Of A Killer" is presented as a dramatisation it contains little in the way of drama, nothing graphic, and is more of a documentary, following a number of similar historically accurate dramatisations on both sides of the Atlantic. It is also in effect two stories - that of the pioneering work of Alec Jeffreys, and of the hunt for a nascent serial killer.

The mentally challenged Richard Buckland who confessed to the second murder is renamed Gavin Hopkirk, which will certainly not please the real owners of that name, bar the fictional murderer from a 2014 ITV series. The name of the man who was duped into impersonating Pitchfork to donate blood has also been changed, even though it is widely known. He paid a heavy price for that act of misguided loyalty.

Beyond the scope of this dramatisation is the unthinkable release of this monster. In 2016 he was moved to an open prison and two years later was photographed in Bristol. He has since been denied parole, and the families of his victims have mounted a national campaign to put him back in a proper prison where he belongs.

If you are a fan of the true-life crime investigation series out in the wild (Forensic Files, Murder Comes to Town, etc.) that involve matching suspects to DNA evidence, then this is a must-see for you. The inventor of DNA testing, Alec Jeffreys, is a main character in this 'sort of' 3-part docu-drama about catching a rapist-killer in a small town in England in the mid-80's. Jeffreys' research at a university lab near the infamous attacks on 2 teen girls is profiled, as his work is key in exonerating a falsely-accused boy, and nailing the real killer.

Interestingly, if this were a fictional story, many viewers would be saying, 'O come on... this sort of thing could never happen that way...!', thus proving that truth is stranger than fiction (or 'life imitates art', as you please).

Three actors always worth watching (together or apart): John Simm (who plays Jeffreys), Robert Glenister (the DCC - Glenister looks like a real DCC, or a cop you would want on your side if you were wrongly accused of murder - he gets my vote) and David Threlfall as the determined DCS doggedly chasing the real perpetrator. I think Simm & Glennister effectively teamed up also in the Brit version of 'Life on Mars'. Threlfall looks completely different from his IMDb profile pic, thus showing that great Brit actors transform themselves enough to suit even a grim role, unlike popular American actors who show the same glam profile in every shot of every movie - (you know the ones I mean: pretty boys!).

A great BRIT 3-parter I caught on ACORN-TV, well worth the price of admission for this alone. 9/10

I found this a wonderful rendition of the trials and pains involved in creating the DNA fingerprinting process. It did have a good amount of science included but this was a theme that undergirded the entire series. The dogged work by the police the anxiety of the scientists and the grief and hope of the victims families were woven into a great story. This is the type of show we need more of.

First off, it's a very sad, interesting, and real life story. The first time in our history that DNA was used by the Police to bring about a conviction, hard to imagine nowadays.

I have to give real praise to the Director and screen writer, for telling the story in a realistic, informative, factual style, that lacked the usual sensationalism associated with modern dramas.

Superbly acted, John Simm and David Threlfall in particular are excellent.

Tragic crimes, brought to life, in a fast moving drama. 8/10