KortneySchaum WE6

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1 Forensic Investigations of Helen McCourt’s Disappearance Kortney Schaum Saint Leo University CRJ 548: Crime Scene Investigations Dr. Jade Pumphrey April 22, 2023

2 Abstract In all parts of the world, crimes without bodies will occur. Thus, evidence is crucial in the prosecution and conviction of the suspect. There must, however, be ample evidence in the absence of a body. Helen McCourt disappeared in 1988, and her body was never found. It was Ian Simms who was convicted and charged with the murder of Helen McCourt in the United Kingdom. Helen McCourt's murder and disappearance were proved to be the work of Ian Simms based upon a variety of crucial evidence, such as DNA, hair, and fiber. This was the first case in which DNA profiling was used in the UK. As a result of the blood analysis by forensic scientists, Dr. Alec Jeffreys compared it to McCourt's parents' blood (Bertino, 2022). According to Dr. Jeffrey, Helen McCourt's blood was found in Simms's flat (Bertino, 2012). Consequently, DNA evidence was used for the first time to convict a murderer whose body was not found. Forensic scientists confirmed that all of the fibers and hairs found at the scene belonged to Helen McCourt. For the United Kingdom, convicting a person without recovering a body for the third time was a major achievement. Helen McCourt's murder and disappearance were proved to be the responsibility of Ian Simms by DNA, hair, and fiber. As a result of the murder of Helen McCourt in February 1988, Simms received a life sentence in prison (Crime and Investigation, 2019). Keywords : crime, evidence, DNA fingerprinting, hair, fiber

3 Forensic Investigations of Helen McCourt’s Disappearance Throughout the United States, more than 500 no-body murder trials have taken place since 1843 (Ponti, 2020). Corpus delicti, translating to "body of the crime," means that an individual must prove that a crime occurred before they can be charged with the crime (Ponti, 2020) . An uncontested fact is that a corpse is a crucial piece of evidence when it comes to murder. Generally, investigators can determine the date and manner of a murder from the remains of the victim, but homicides can also be prosecuted and proven even in cases in which the victim is not found. Despite the rarity of murder charges without corpses, 86 percent of murder cases with dead bodies that were tried ended in conviction, as compared to 70 percent of cases with corpses (Ponti, 2020). There must, however, be ample evidence in the absence of a body. In the United Kingdom, a trial and conviction led to Ian Simms' conviction for Helen McCourt's murder (Ponti, 2020). The DNA fingerprinting method has been used for the first time in the UK to identify a murderer without a body present. Crucial pieces of evidence were able to charge and convict Simms. Case Background Helen McCourt contacted her mother, Marie, in the late afternoon of February 9, 1988, shortly before she expected to leave work (Blanco, n.d.). Later in the evening, she planned to spend time with her new boyfriend. Upon returning home, she asked her mother to make tea for her. According to her mother, she was suspected to be home around 5:15 to 5:30. About 5:15 pm, Helen got off her bus and started walking home, taking a route that intersected with the George and Dragon pub on the way (Blanco, n.d.). In his testimony, a man described hearing a loud scream from the pub after getting off another bus (Crime & Investigation, 2019). Crime and Investigation (2019) reported that this incident occurred less than five hundred yards from her

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4 home in Billinge, a Metropolitan Borough of St. Helens, Merseyside. That night was the last time Helen was seen or heard from. As a result, Helen McCourt's body was never found, and the only items that helped the investigation were crucial pieces of evidence. The Investigation Holmes (2002) describes the day before she disappeared as the day of an argument in a pub called the George and Dragon in which she exchanged heated words with the owner (Holmes, 2022). Mr. Simms knew Helen as she was a former employee at his bar. Several customers claimed Simms had used obscene language about Helen after the argument with a fellow customer and had called her "hateful" after banning her from the pub (Holmes, 2022). Simms had attempted to make repeated sexual advances to Helen in the past, but she rejected them. Also, Simms feared Helen knew about the relationship he had had with the 21-year-old woman he had moved into the pub flat with behind his wives back (Holmes, 2012).The investigation of McCourt began after Helen's mother reported her missing the night of her disappearance. An investigation by the police led to the George and Dragon, the pub she used to work at as a barmaid and was the scene of a disturbance two days prior involving McCourt and the landlord Ian Simms (Holmes, 2022). The police began to question Simms, and he became extremely nervous, resulting in the police's suspicion. Simms' vehicle was impounded following the interview. In the process of impounded his car, forensic experts discovered traces of blood, such as blood spots on the boot sill and blood stains on the carpet (Kimurrary, 2013). Her mother identified an opal and pearl earring found in the boot as one of a pair Helen had received for her 21st birthday(Holmes, 2022). According to her mother, she had those earring on the day she

5 vanished (Holmes, 2022). Due to all the evidence that was recovered, Simms was arrested on suspicion of murder. However, without the body, the investigation relied heavily on evidence. Forensic Lab Analysis and Technology Lab Analysis and Technology Then The disappearance of Helen McCourt caught many people's attention. However, no evidence of the body's whereabouts, and much evidence was recovered. A number of crucial pieces of evidence, such as DNA, hair, and fiber, revealed that Ian Simms was responsible for Helen McCourt's murder and disappearance. The use of DNA profiling, in this case, was also the first time such a method was employed (Crawford & Beaty, 2013). Having convicted a person without recovering a body for the third time was a major event for the United Kingdom. Evidence # 1 (DNA Evidence) DNA profiling was used for the first time in the UK in this case. A pub owner found evidence linking Ian Simms to McCourt's disappearance in his flat. Forensic scientists found blood all over Simms's flat (Kimurrary, 2013). Several blood traces were also found in Simms' flat. Several blood stains were found on the stairs leading to the apartment, the bedroom carpet, wallpaper, and outside the apartment's door, where police believe she was attacked first (Kimurrary, 2013). As evidenced by the blood, police believe the woman was hit twice in the face. The blood was analyzed by forensic scientists, and Dr. Alec Jeffreys compared it to the blood of McCourt's parents (Bertino, 2022). Dr. Alec Jeffreys developed genetic fingerprinting and DNA profiling techniques now used worldwide in forensic science thanks to his work in genetics (Crawford & Beaty, 2013). DNA and genetic fingerprinting were relatively new science that was used for the first time in this case. Using VNTRs or minisatellites from DNA, Alec

6 Jeffreys and his team developed a method for identifying specific individuals (Crawford & Beaty, 2013). A DNA fingerprint is specific to an individual and is unlikely to be found in an unrelated individual, with 1 in 30 billion chances (Crawford & Beaty, 2013). In this method, intact DNA was cut with a restriction enzyme based on its sequence, fragments were separated by electrophoresis, transferred onto nitrocellulose membranes, and hybridized with radioactive isotopes or biotin-labeled probes (Crawford & Beaty, 2013). According to Dr. Jeffrey, the blood found in Simm's flat and car were Helen McCourt's with high probability (Bertino, 2012). In walking his dog along the Manchester Ship Canal, a local man found a blood-soaked towel and several bloodstained items of men's clothing. A forensic test was conducted on all items, and the results indicated that the blood came from Helen McCourt (Bertino, 2012). In the beginning, Simms denied ownership of these clothes. Kimurrary (2013) states that the husband changed his story after both his wife and mistress confirmed they were his. In this case, DNA evidence was used for the first time to convict someone who had not found the body of a murder victim. Evidence # 2 (Hair Evidence) Additionally, there was a length of electrical flex found with her clothing (Bertino, 2012). Similarly shaped flexes were also found in Simms' flat where he played with his two dogs. In the flex, human hair was found within a knot. It has been reported that more hair was found inside a cotton jacket that Simms acknowledged was his (Bertino, 2012). These hairs were analyzed and compared to McCourt's hair strands on her hair rollers (Bertino, 2012). In this case, the hairs were analyzed using a microscope. The purpose of microscopic hair analysis is to compare the characteristics of several hair strands under a microscope and determine whether the strands are consistent with one another (FBI, 2011). The examination confirmed that all of the hairs found were Helen McCourt's.

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7 Evidence # 3 ( Fiber Evidence) More evidence was found in Simms' cotton jacket, which he admitted to being his. There were also fibers found within (Bertino, 2012). In order to perform a forensic examination, it is necessary to determine that a questioned fiber is the same as, or similar to, fibers contained in an object's composition (FBI, 2011). Fiber examiners must evaluate various characteristics and properties that can be observed or measured. Fibers, in this case, were compared using a microscope to see if the matches were confirmed or denied. During a microscope examination, the fibers were compared to those in McCourt's mittens (Bertino, 2012). It was confirmed that these fibers came from McCourt's mittens. During the investigation, fibers were collected from a jacket and trousers Helen wore for the first time the morning of her disappearance (Bertino, 2012). Forensic scientists then collected fibers from all the carpets in Simms' flat and compared them to those on McCourt's trousers and coat using a microscope. Under the microscope, forensic scientists were able to confirm that the fibers from Simms' flat were found on McCourt's clothing (Bertino, 2012). The police believed in this case that Simms dragged her upstairs after he attacked her. Lab Analysis and Technology Today In any case, without a body, it can be difficult to convict a murderer. Prosecutors can convict the individual if they have an abundance of strong evidence. However, advancements in technology today have made it a lot easier. A lot of advancements have been made in forensics, including DNA and new ways to test evidence. Additionally, there is a lot of technology that didn't exist decades ago, such as Google searches for how to dispose of a body and other searches involving murder. Today, there have been a lot of advancements in DNA profiling along with how hair and fiber evidence is analyzed.

8 Evidence # 1 (DNA Evidence) In today's world, STRs, or short tandem repeats, play a crucial role. Modern forensics uses STRs that are between three and five DNA bases long (Maryville EDU Online, 2021). Before, a much longer repeat of bases was necessary, measuring hundreds or thousands of bases. Approximately six to eight weeks were required for the entire process. Today, thanks to STRs, the process is much more efficient. A further advancement has resulted in greater efficiency in DNA profiling by replacing gel electrophoresis with capillary electrophoresis. With capillary electrophoresis, the voltage can reach 30,000V, whereas gel electrophoresis can't withstand voltages higher than 40V, allowing separation times to be shortened (Maryville EDU Online, 2021). Polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, is another technique that has greatly advanced DNA analysis. Ultimately, this process amplifies DNA fragments and makes them easier to detect through repeated heating and cooling (Maryville EDU Online, 2021). In the past, DNA profiles required a bloodstain to be as large as a dime or quarter to elicit enough DNA (Maryville EDU Online, 2021). It is possible to profile even very small amounts of blood using PCR. The DNA profiling of today is more sensitive than ever before. The fact that criminals often leave behind minimal numbers of skin cells allows investigators to obtain DNA from them (Maryville EDU Online, 2021). In Helen McCourt's case, DNA could have been positively confirmed, unlike in cases with a high probability. Evidence # 2 (Hair Evidence) Hair evidence is always a comparative form of evidence using a reference sample and comparing it to the collected sample. Dr. Sydney Smith used the comparison microscope for the first time in 1934 to compare hair collected from a crime scene with hair collected from a suspect or victim (Hodge & Holjencin, 2020). In hair evidence, a reference sample is compared to a

9 collected sample as a form of comparison. Based on the hair evidence obtained from McCourt in 1988, this is how the hair evidence was analyzed. As technological advances allowed for the comparison of hair through chemical methods, hair analysis continued to advance throughout the 20th century. Analyzing hair for traces of evidence with neutron activation has become standard practice (Hodge & Holjencin, 2020). The DNA profiling of hair is now a part of the hair analysis process. In hair analysis, cells attaching to the roots of the hair are examined to determine the hair structure and DNA (Hodge & Holjencin, 2020). Identifying a suspect at a crime scene can be done through forensic hair analysis. The McCourt case would have been impacted if DNA profiling had been available, rather than comparison microscopes, allowing the hair strand to be identified. Evidence # 3 ( Fiber Evidence) Law enforcement agencies around the world use fiber analysis to locate suspects at crime scenes. In forensic science, techniques have evolved over time, and more crimes can now be solved than ever. A crime scene can result in the exchange of fibers between suspects and victims' clothing (Edvotek, 2020). Clothing types worn by suspects and victims affect fiber transfer. The analysis of fibers recovered at a crime scene can be accomplished using multiple methods. In most cases, fiber samples are examined longitudinally and cross-sectionally using microscopes, which were used during the Ian Simms case (Edvotek, 2020). A forensic scientist prefers scanning electron microscopes and atomic force microscopes due to their higher resolution over light microscopy (National Institute of Justice, 2018). In addition to microscopy, fibers can also be identified by the rate at which they burn or dissolve in a solvent (National Institute of Justice, 2018). In order to conclude that both suspects and victims were involved in a crime, scientists typically compare fibers recovered from crime scenes or victims to the fibers

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10 from suspected criminals (National Institute of Justice, 2018). The advancement in fiber analysis would have been super helpful to Helen McCourt's case. Conclusion A body can be a valuable piece of evidence in many cases. In Helen McCourt's disappearance, the body was never recovered. Consequently, prosecutors and forensic scientists had to work extra hard to find crucial pieces of evidence to find the perpetrator. Using DNA profiling, Dr. Alec Jeffreys confirmed that the blood was found all over Simms' flat, and the car belonged to Helen McCourt (Crawford & Beaty, 2013). Also recovered were fibers and hairs that pointed directly to Simms for her murder and disappearance. It is extremely difficult to commit crimes without a body, but the number of such crimes is on the rise. It is also crucial in these cases for the prosecution and conviction of a defendant to have evidence to support their case. For the murder of 22-year-old Helen in February 1988, pub landlord Simms was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 16 years in prison (Crime and Investigation, 2019). She was strangled by Simms as she walked home from work, but she has never been found. 'Helen's Law,' which would prevent killers from getting parole unless they reveal the location of their victims' bodies (Crime & Investigation, 2019), has been spearheaded by her mother. In January 2020, Helen's Law, commonly known as the Prisoners Act 2020, became law (Crime and Investigation, 2019). In February 2020, the high court rejected the appeal against Simms, and he was released. In June 2022, Ian Simms died without being able to reveal McCourt's whereabouts (Crime and Investigation, 2019).

11 References Bertino, A. J. (2012). Forensic science: Fundamentals and investigations . South-Western. Blanco, J. (n.d.). Ian Simms: Murderpedia, the Encyclopedia of Murderers . Ian Simms: Murderpedia, The Encyclopedia of Murderers. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/simms-ian.htm Crawford, M. H., & Beaty, K. G. (2013). DNA Fingerprinting in Anthropological Genetics: Past, Present, Future. Investigative Genetics , 4 (1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/2041-2223-4-23 Crime and Investigation. (2019). Helen's Law . Retrieved from https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/shows/when-missing-turns-to-murder/helen-s- law Edvotek. (2020). Fiber Evidence from Crime Scene Investigations . Retrieved from https://blog.edvotek.com/2020/01/02/fiber-evidence-from-crime-scene-investigations/ FBI. (2011). Hairs, Fibers, Crime, and Evidence . FBI. Retrieved from https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/ july2000/deedric1.htm Hodge, S., & Holjencin, A. (2020). A Post-Mortem Review of Forensic Hair Analysis - A Technique Whose Current Use in Criminal Investigations is Hanging on by a Hair. Saint Louis University Law Journal , 64 (2). Holmes, W. (2022). Woman's Murder Changed Britain Forever After Killer's Silence . Liverpool Echo. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/womans- murder-changed-britain-forever-25497319 Kilmurray, A. (2013). Mother of Murdered Helen McCourt Will Fight to Attend Killer's Latest Parole Hearing . St Helens Star. Retrieved from

12 https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/10258458.mother-of-murdered-helen-mccourt-will- fight-to-attend-killers-latest-parole-hearing/ Maryville EDU Online. (2021). DNA profiling: How is it used in criminal justice? Retrieved from https://online.maryville.edu/blog/how-is-dna-profiling-used-to-solve-crimes/ #:~:text=The%20History%20of%20DNA%20Profiling&text=Today's%20processes %20rely%20on%20the,to%20even%20tens%20of%20thousands. National Institute of Justice. (2018). Fiber Impurities Allow for More Detailed Forensic Fluorescence Comparisons. Retrieved from https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/fiber- impurities-allow-more-detailed-forensic-fluorescence-comparisons#citation--0. Ponti, C. (2020). No corpse? No Problem. Notable Murder Convictions Without a Body . A&E. Retrieved from https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/murder-convictions-without-a-body

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