The investigation of two murders committed in Leicestershire, England, in 1983 and 1986, resolved in 1988 when Colin Pitchfork became the first person in the world convicted of murder using DNA profiling, the technique Alec Jeffreys had developed only a few years earlier. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Case YearSourced to the subject's own account LocationSourced to the subject's own accountLeicestershire, England 2 Investigative or Reform SignificanceSourced to the subject's own accountThe first criminal conviction anywhere in the world secured through DNA profiling, launching genetic fingerprinting as a forensic tool used worldwide. 2 Case StatusClosed; convicted. Released on licence 1 September 2021; recalled to custody within months for breaching licence conditions. The Parole Board refused release and declined to recommend open conditions again in a decision dated November 2025. 1 Case Status
Case Status (category) Case Status (category) FAQs
Has Colin Pitchfork ever been released from prison?
Yes, briefly. He was released on licence on 1 September 2021 but recalled to prison two months later for breaching his licence conditions. The Parole Board has refused his release at every review since, most recently in November 2025.
Connections
Associated With
Alec Jeffreys, who developed DNA profiling only a few years earlier, is the technique's originator applied in this case.
Source Wikipedia: Colin Pitchfork
Exemplifies
Source Wikipedia: Colin Pitchfork
Investigated By
Leicestershire Constabulary (the force's name at the time) ran the mass voluntary blood-sampling exercise, led by Detective David Baker, that led to Pitchfork's identification and conviction.
Source Wikipedia: Genetic fingerprinting
Used In
The first murder conviction obtained through DNA profiling.
Source Wikipedia: Colin Pitchfork
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Discusses
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Located In
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Source GOV.UK: Parole Board Decision, Colin Pitchfork (2025)tier 1
Took Place In
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Found In
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Sources
1. GOV.UK: Parole Board Decision, Colin Pitchfork (2025)
Parole Board for England and Walesdecision notice, November 2025Quote, decision notice, November 2025
the Parole Board refused the release of Colin Pitchfork and did not recommend a transfer to open conditions.
2. Wikipedia: Colin Pitchfork
Lead section
He was the first person convicted of rape and murder using DNA profiling after he murdered two girls in neighbouring Leicestershire villages.
References and further reading
Wambaugh, Joseph (1990). The Blooding: True Story of the Narborough Village Murders. Bantam Books.
- Used In: DNA Profiling
- Associated With: Alec Jeffreys
In Group: DNA Identification Cases, Lead sentence
Colin Pitchfork (born 23 March 1960) is an English child-murderer and child-rapist.
View the SourceWikipedia: Genetic fingerprinting
WikipediaInvestigated By: Leicestershire Constabulary, Genetic fingerprinting article, DNA profiling in forensic science sectionQuote, Investigated By: Leicestershire Constabulary, Genetic fingerprinting article, DNA profiling in forensic science section
In the murder inquiry, led by Detective David Baker, the DNA contained within blood samples obtained voluntarily from around 5,000 local men who willingly assisted Leicestershire Constabulary with the investigation, resulted in the exoneration of Richard Buckland, an initial suspect who had confessed to one of the crimes, and the subsequent conviction of Colin Pitchfork on January 2, 1988.
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