Landmark Cases
Colin Pitchfork Case
Also Known As Narborough Village Murders From the book title The Blooding: True Story of the Narborough Village Murders, the term used for the case in secondary literature.
Citation Formats
General Reference
APA Style
BibTeX
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.
Facts
Case YearSourced to the subject's own account LocationSourced to the subject's own accountLeicestershire, England 1 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. 1 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. 2 Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Alec Jeffreys, who developed DNA profiling only a few years earlier, is the technique's originator applied in this case.
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.
Used In
The first murder conviction obtained through DNA profiling.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Colin Pitchfork
Lead sectionQuote, Lead section
He was the first person convicted of rape and murder using DNA profiling after he murdered two girls in neighbouring Leicestershire villages.
1. Wikipedia: Colin Pitchfork
References and further readingQuote, References and further reading
Wambaugh, Joseph (1990). The Blooding: True Story of the Narborough Village Murders. Bantam Books.
1. Wikipedia: Colin Pitchfork
1. Wikipedia: Colin Pitchfork
2. 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.
Wikipedia: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.