The Sharpest Cut Doctors

Come in, come in.

-Cheers.

-You're Sergeant Hollins' son, yeah?

-That's right.

-Have we met before?

No. But I have heard a lot about you.

OK, so you want to see where the real detective work is done?

Well, this is it, where we harness cutting edge science to combat crime.

Tell you what, I've got a good example here. Come and have a look.

It's a new programme I persuaded the department to invest in.

Photo enhancement.

This is from an investigation into thefts from offices.

This is our suspect going in. And here she is, 45 minutes later,

having helped herself to the contents of unattended handbags and desks.

That's the same woman? How can you tell?

A-ha! There.

-She forgot to take off her ring.

-Exactly.

-Even clever criminals make mistakes.

-So, is this all we're going to do all day? Look at computer screens?

You thought this was going to be more like CSI Letherbridge?

Something like that.

PHONE RINGS Excuse me. Harrison Kellor.

So, why are we here? Someone nicked a gnome?

Ah, DS Cooper. What have you got for me?

House owner called it in. John Ebden.

Came home because no-one was answering the phone.

Has he identified the victim?

Vicky Ebden. Aged 28. Second wife. You'll find her in the kitchen.

I hope your plods haven't trampled all over my crime scene.

I got them out as soon as I realised what we were dealing with. Your team are inside.

Jack. What are you doing here?!

-Work placement.

-I'm not sure this is a suitable case for a civilian.

Come on, Tom. You know I'll keep a close eye on him.

-OK. But he's your responsibility.

-Yeah, yeah.

Touch nothing. Step where I step, OK?

We have access to equipment developed over 100 years of forensic science.

But the most important tools we have are our senses.

Don't just use your eyes. Some evidence is ephemeral. Temperature. Smells.

Has someone passed through this space with perfume or aftershave?

Outside if you're going to throw up.

-Can't have you contaminating the scene.

-I'll be all right.

OK.

And again, the flowers, OK?

Thanks, guys.

How much of your job is intuition and how much is science?

You have to trust your instincts

but ultimately it's the science which will either disprove or prove any of my theories.

Weapon?

You've spotted the knife rack?

I'm not straight out of Hendon, mate.

Yes, apologies. We'll have to wait for the full post-mortem

but, yes, my money would be on the missing knife.

You'll keep me informed?

Yeah.

-Dr Kellor.

-Hmm?

There was something on the news this morning. The Scraper.

-They think he's killed another woman.

-Your point being?

-Couldn't this be another of his victims?

-No. Hardly.

-Why not?

-There were certain bits of information withheld from the public.

Like what?

He takes a trophy - the victim's ring finger -

and Mrs Ebden's body is intact.

It's a completely different modus operandi.

I need some air.

OK.

How long?

-Sorry?

-My wife is lying on our kitchen floor.

How long before I can give her some decency?

I really don't know. Sorry.

This can't be happening...

She can't be...

We're just an ordinary family.

Things like this don't happen to people like us.

There are clear signs that someone's searched the master bedroom.

-There's a jewellery box emptied and drawers have been rifled.

-Prints?

-No, just smudges, I'm afraid.

-So you've got no good news for me?

Oh, I wouldn't say that. They did leave one clue behind.

You haven't noticed?

See, this is what we're always hoping for - one little sign,

no matter how small,

that can shed a light onto what actually happened.

-An apple?

-An apple with a bite taken out of it.

-And a bite means?

-Someone was hungry?

Saliva. And saliva means...?

-DNA.

-Exactly.

Thank you, Crick and Watson.

-Hang on. Mrs Ebden could have bitten the apple.

-No.

-Enlighten me.

-She has got icing sugar all over her hands so how come there's none on the fruit?

She took the bite before she started baking?

A good point. But look at the position of the apple.

See how the blood has splashed outwards.

That...is an impact pattern.

-Which means?

-It was dropped in the blood that was already there.

Exactly! Excellent.

So, looks like our murderer bit off a bit more than he could chew.

-But he's my husband... John, tell her she has to let me through.

-Roz?

-Why are you here?

-You know I had to come.

-You brought Andy.

-I couldn't leave him on his own.

-Are you mad?!

I just want to help.

Get him out of here!

Oh, my God.

So what's next?

We send this profile to the National DNA Database and see if they've got a match.

-How long will that take?

-It's better to be accurate than quick.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Police! Open up, Dale!

-Yeah, hang on.

-Now, Dale!

Stay where you are.

-Not fast enough.

-You can't just barge in here for no reason.

What's in the bag?

Nothing. Rubbish.

Tip it out.

It's just fag ends and that.

It's here or at the station.

Vicky Ebden. Station it is then.

Bag that.

I told you. I found it on the street.

-Which street?

-Can't remember.

-Fairbrook Avenue?

-No.

I thought you couldn't remember?

It weren't that one, all right?

You're only just out of Winson Green.

Remind me what you were in for?

-No comment.

-You can't have forgotten that as well.

The old boy you cracked over the head hasn't.

Came home and caught you, didn't he? Is that what happened this morning?

Did Mrs Ebden find you in her house?

No.

What did you do with the knife?

-What knife?

-You'll be a pensioner before you get out this time.

-You can't pin this on me, mate.

-Pin what on you?

Dale, we recovered your DNA at the scene.

With your record, it's got to be life this time.

OK, all right.

So I turned over the house

but I swear, I never hurt that woman.

I was cruising past and I saw the front door was open.

So I went to have a nosey.

Who wouldn't?

I'd done upstairs. Thought I'd try the kitchen.

-Why didn't you phone for an ambulance?

-No point.

I could see she was dead and I ain't going to hang around.

-So, you didn't touch Vicky Ebden?

-No. Why would I?

For the benefit of the tape, I am showing Mr Cutler a khaki-coloured jacket.

Exhibit TC13.

This is yours, isn't it, Dale?

-No.

-So how did it end up in a dustbin outside your bed-sit?

-People dump stuff in bins all the time. You can't prove that's mine.

-There's DNA all over it.

Hair, flakes of skin you can't even see with the naked eye.

Our forensics expert is working his magic even as we speak.

And he's good, very good.

He's going to prove that this is your jacket

and that's Vicky Ebden's blood.

-But I never hurt her.

-Then how did her blood get on your jacket?

Well, it weren't how you think.

So, how come the ring isn't here?

-I chucked it.

-Where?

Down a drain.

When it would have kept you in blow for weeks?

I chucked...

I chucked it cos I robbed it off a dead body.

I ain't proud of that.

So, Dale Cutler's suddenly grown a conscience?

I'm telling you the truth.

Nah. I ain't buying it.

-Milk, two sugars.

-Cheers, Jack.

Well? Do we have him or what?

-I can confirm that it is Vicky Ebden's blood on the jacket.

-Great.

But I would have expected more and not just on the cuffs.

-What are you saying?

-I'm going to have to do more tests before I'm convinced of Dale Cutler's guilt.

It's better to be accurate than quick.

Do your tests. I'll nail Cutler the old fashioned way.

I've still got potential witnesses to interview.

We are on the same side, Sergeant!

Right, I need to see the body again.

You up for it?

Come on then.

Your dad told me he left the house before you.

So you went to school at?

Eight o'clock.

-Did you see anything unusual?

-Like what?

Any cars you didn't recognise?

Were there any strangers hanging around?

I don't remember.

Take your time.

I didn't see anyone.

Are you sure?

-Think harder.

-I don't know what you want me to say.

-That's enough.

-Maybe you saw something on a different day?

-No, really...

-Someone looking at the house?

-Stop!

He's still very upset. He doesn't need this.

Of course.

Thanks, Andy.

You did very well.

Thank you.

Right, can I have the body chart, please, Jack?

Jack. Body chart.

Thank you.

OK.

Whoa! It's OK. I've got you.

-Sorry. Just being pathetic.

-Nonsense.

It's only people with no imagination who don't get affected by this place.

Come on. Let's get you outside.

We've used Vicky Ebden's measurements to get the height correct.

-We've got the matching weapon.

-Yep.

We're going to have to guess the exact height of the attacker for now.

But what we do know

is that the blows were delivered with a downward motion, OK?

Right. So... You've surprised Vicky Ebden in her kitchen.

She's going to scream and you're going to have to silence her.

One... Four. OK, good.

-I can try again.

-No, that's...fine, Jack.

What we've failed to take into account

is the sideways angle of the wounds.

Take a couple of them.

One...two.

Good.

OK, right.

That's what's wrong.

We're looking for a southpaw.

I know that the circumstantial evidence is strong...

-Please tell me this is a wind up.

-Dale Cutler is right-handed.

-Vicky Ebden's wounds were delivered by a left-hander.

-So, Cutler used his other hand.

Possible but not likely, is it?

-Then maybe I should ask for a second opinion.

-Second opinion?!

-I'd be saying thanks if I were you.

-What?

If Dale Cutler is innocent, the killer's still out there.

Cutler had the victim's jewellery in his possession.

You found his DNA at the scene and Vicky Ebden's blood on his jacket.

All of which places him at the house

but it doesn't conclusively tie him to the murder.

-Listen, I'm sorry, Tom but you've got the wrong man.

-Prove it.

I'm missing something. Something obvious...

Look at the wounds. See anything unusual?

-They're clustered around one area?

-Yeah...

And there's no injury to the more obvious areas

like the heart and the lungs.

So, the attacker had a really bad aim?

Or was it deliberate?

What? They meant to stab Vicky Ebden in the stomach?

It's a possibility. Why?

They didn't want to kill her?

Or maybe she wasn't the intended victim?

PHONE RINGS

What?

And here's the proof.

The full post-mortem report.

Vicky Ebden was eight weeks pregnant.

Do you think she knew?

The question is, who else knew?

Tell me about your relationship with Vicky.

It was good. Wonderful.

My first marriage, well...

I never thought I'd get another chance to be happy.

And what about Vicky?

-Was she happy?

-Of course.

Then what did the message mean?

-Message?

-The one with the flowers? You did send them?

Yes.

"Sorry about last night."

-Sorry about what?

-Everyone has rows.

It doesn't mean we didn't love each other.

So what was last night's row about?

I'm just saying, aren't we good as we are?

Andy accepts you, totally, and you love him, don't you?

That's not the point.

-But a baby, now?

-I want something that's made from both of us.

Can't we talk about this later?

When?

A year. Maybe two?

Two years?!

Vicky, you've had to go part time and my job's not safe.

Is this really the best time to have another mouth to feed?

How did you react when you found out that she hadn't waited?

What? I don't get you.

You're trying to say she was...

She was pregnant?

Are you saying you didn't know?

But she would have said something.

Pregnant?!

No... You mean, I've lost them both?

Tell me again. What time did you return to the house?

What?! No, you can't think...

Hurt my child, hurt Vicky?!

I would never... I loved Vicky!

If not you, who?

You said this burglar...

He's been cleared.

I thought she'd got over it.

I mean, of course she was upset about the break up. That's natural.

But the way she turned on Vicky...

Who are you talking about, Mr Ebden?

Biscuit?

Thank you. No. If we could get back to this morning.

Of course.

Well... I got up about 7:30.

Andy was staying at his dad's, so I could have had a lie in

but I was having one of my migraines,

so I phoned work - said I wasn't coming in.

Carry on, Mrs Ebden.

I had a shower, breakfast...

..tidied Andy's room. It looked like a bomb had hit it.

You didn't go out?

Not until I got the call from John, saying that something had happened at the house,

asking me to pick Andy up from school.

Do you have any way of proving that you were here between 8:00-8:30?

No. I suppose not.

How did you get on with the new Mrs Ebden?

I can't pretend it wasn't hard but...

..we got on, in the end.

Are you sure?

'How you can sleep?

'You knew he was married. You had no right to take him.

-BEEP

-'John...

'..it's not too late. Just come home, please.

'Come home and we can be a family again.

BEEP

'You ruined my life.

'Don't think you've got away with it.

'You wait and see.

'You'll get what's coming to you.'

BEEP

Anything to say?

-Perhaps we should continue this at the police station.

-No!

-Leave her alone.

-It's OK. Andy. Go back to your room.

But it's not fair.

I can't do this here.

-Can't do what, Mrs Ebden?

-Mum, don't...

I used a kitchen knife.

What?

I didn't mean to kill her...

..but what's done is done.

Why?

Roz Ebden, I am arresting you for the murder of Vicky Ebden. You do not have to say anything

but it may harm your defence if you do not mention

when questioned something you later rely on in court.

Anything you do say may be given in evidence.

It's OK, love. It's going to be all right.

OK?

OK. Looks like we've got blood.

Someone's tried to clean up.

Doctor Kellor.

Well done, Jack. You're a natural.

Isn't this a waste of time?

I mean, Roz Ebden's made a full confession.

I thought you were studying the law?

Or didn't you got to the bit about retracted confessions yet?

We still need to scientifically link this to the ex Mrs Ebden.

But it's been cleaned.

Well, there is clean and there is clean.

The beauty of blood is that it is very sticky...

and gets into all kinds of places,

which is not so good for the criminal...

..but great for us.

Now, it's at times like these that this is the best job in the world.

And there's no doubt it's Vicky Ebden's blood?

There's only a one in one billion chance that it's not.

-Fingerprints?

-Wiped clean.

So I can't prove that Roz Ebden used the knife?

You can't, no.

Forensics can.

Jack?

There were two samples of blood under the handle.

One was the victims, the other must be from the assailant.

They were injured during the attack?

That's my theory, yeah.

The Police Surgeon gave Roz Ebden a thorough examination.

She had no cuts. There were no injuries.

Well, then either the second sample got there another way.

Or...?

Or Roz Ebden is lying.

Why confess to a murder she didn't do?

Find me the cut and I'll show you the killer.

Playing in the garden.

Scratched it on a nail.

Maybe we should get your dad in, before you say anything else.

HE SIGHS

All we want is for you to tell the truth.

Can you do that, Andy?

If you don't, your mum could be in serious trouble.

I didn't ask her to.

You didn't ask her to do what?

She said she did it, but she didn't.

Why did she do that?

Andy, you need to tell me exactly what happened this morning.

I was halfway to school when I realised I'd forgot my homework.

It's on the fridge.

You'll forget your head one day.

Whose birthday?

No-one's.

But there is a reason to celebrate.

-Can you keep a secret?

-Cross my heart. What is it?

We're going to have a new addition to the family.

What?

You're going to have a new brother or sister.

No.

What do you mean, "No"?

-Dad said.

-Said what?

He promised.

-I don't understand.

-He promised!

-That's enough!

There's no need for this.

You've ruined EVERYTHING!

Ugh! Agh!

Oh...

It's all right.

I just need you to get me the telephone.

Oh...

Andy!

I ran and ran, till I got to Mum's.

Did you tell her what you'd done?

I didn't want to...

but I had blood on my shirt.

And the knife.

She found it in my bag.

She said we should act normal and everything would be all right.

All right?!

Do you know what you've done?

I'm sorry, Dad.

I didn't mean it.

But now we can be a family again.

You, me and Mum.

Like it used to be.

You said I was the only one...

your special boy.

11 years old.

He should be reading comics and playing computer games.

What chance has he got now?

He's going to need you.

I know.

I just need time.

Dad? Where are you going? Dad!

He's going to turn his back on his own son?

His mum will look out for him.

-I freed up an extra ten minutes.

-Whoa, are you crazy?

-No, I'm not!

If you can, ignore the crying.

-Sorry, but do you have actually have any children?

-No.

-Tell Zara.

-I don't feel qualified somehow.

What's the difference between lewdness and lasciviousness?

-In what context?

-Making a complaint against a doctor.

We started off wanting a family.

Now we've barely got a marriage.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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