A cold case turns hot after 30 years. (29th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitchell, N.; Blankers, B.; Kokshoorn, B.; Van Der Stelt, A.; McDonald, S.
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of forensic sciences. Volume 51(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S60
• Page End: S67
• Publication Date: 2019-07-29
• Subjects: Cold case -- international cooperation -- LCN -- low copy number; Law -- Australia -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2019.1568554
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-0618

Abstract

ABSTRACT: On the 5 January 1983, 10-year-old Louise Bell was abducted while she slept in her bedroom, south of Adelaide. Louise was never seen again. This high profile case had a significant impact on the lives of Louise's friends and family, as well as the general public of South Australia. The case remained unsolved for over 30 years. In November 2016, Dieter Pfennig was convicted for the abduction and murder of Louise Bell. Forensic Short Tandem Repeat (STR) typing performed as part of a cold case examination was a crucial element to solving this case. The case is of broader interest since it reflects the developments in forensic genetic STR typing over the last decade, particularly in the methodologies for evaluation of the evidence. This case marks the end of the 'Low Copy Number' (LCN) debate.