Forensic scientist Jo Millington has detailed some of the most disturbing crime scenes she has encountered throughout her career, highlighting the crucial role of forensic analysis in understanding complex and horrific events. Her experiences include the cannibalistic murder of Brian Cherry, the investigation of the 7/7 London bombings, the murder of Terry Edmonds, and the case of Paul Dalton.
Millington was called to a north London flat in February 2004 following the murder of Brian Cherry. The victim had been stabbed by his friend, Peter Bryan, who later admitted to eating parts of Cherry's body. Millington recounted discovering human brain tissue sizzling in a frying pan in the kitchen, an image that has remained with her for over two decades. Bryan, who had a history of violence and was on a psychiatric ward release for a previous murder, was armed with a hammer, Stanley knife, and screwdriver when he attacked Cherry. He later confessed to psychiatrists that he had eaten Cherry's brains with butter, describing it as a "voodoo ritual." As a specialist in blood spatter analysis, Millington's task was to reconstruct the events of the murder by examining the blood patterns at the scene. She explained that dried blood is easier to examine without the risk of further transfer, and the detail in bloodstains provides key insights into the force and movement involved during an attack.
Bryan's violent history began 11 years prior to the Cherry murder when he killed shop assistant Nisha Sheth with a claw hammer. He was found guilty of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and sent to a psychiatric hospital. Considered low risk by the early 2000s, he was allowed back into the community under supervision. Following Cherry's murder, Bryan was sent to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, where he killed another inmate, Richard Loudwell, just ten days after his arrival. In March 2005, Bryan pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter for the murders of Cherry and Loudwell, and was sentenced to two life terms. His victims' families expressed a desire for his imprisonment to be lifelong.
Millington also detailed her involvement in the investigation of the 7/7 London bombings in 2005. She analyzed the Nissan Micra used by three of the four bombers to travel to Luton train station. Despite a controlled explosion being required to make the vehicle safe, Millington proceeded with sample collection, using paper sheets to protect herself from broken glass. A crucial breakthrough came when she found an empty peanut packet in the driver's door pocket, which showed signs of being torn open by mouth. She believed this item would yield vital DNA evidence, which it did, helping to identify one of the perpetrators.
In another case, Millington investigated the 2006 disappearance of 17-year-old Terry Edmonds, whose body was found days later in a suitcase. Initial DNA analysis of the suitcase handle led to the name of a person who had donated it to a charity shop. However, investigators eventually identified the killer, Philip Bell, who had a connection to the homeless community using the car park where the suitcase was found. A tiny bloodstain on Bell's sweatshirt, matched to Terry Edmonds' blood, was instrumental in his conviction after two previous trials. Millington conducted experiments to demonstrate how the blood likely transferred rapidly, placing Bell in contact with Edmonds at the time of her injury. Bell was found guilty of murder in 2009 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Millington also worked on the case of Tae Hui, who was found dismembered and inside her kitchen freezer in May 2004. Her husband, Paul Dalton, a teacher, was initially missing. Millington used a chemical presumptive test for blood on the seemingly spotless home, which revealed that the scene had been meticulously cleaned, indicating that the attack or dismemberment had occurred there. A mop found near the home contained a blood fingerprint matching Dalton's DNA. In 2005, Dalton was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years imprisonment.
Millington's work, as detailed in her forthcoming book, underscores the importance of forensic science in unraveling violent crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice, even when faced with the most gruesome and challenging circumstances.