Code of a Killer

In the 1980’s in Leicestershire two young women are raped and murdered. Simultaneously—at the University of Leicester—a scientist is attempting to read DNA code. When he is finally able to do so and can demonstrate, e.g., paternity, he is approached by the DCS in charge of the rape/murder cases, David Baker. Eventually they decide to test the blood of all of the youngish males within a five-mile radius of the crimes, the usual ‘hunting grounds’ for a serial killer.This all actually happened and it is here portrayed in three 45-50 minute episodes, featuring David Threlfall as DCS Baker and John Simm as the scientist, Alec Jeffreys. The acting and script are strong, as are the production values, the plot arcs and the central themes of insight, tenacity and persistence. The presence of top British character actors such as Lorcan Cranitch, Andrew Tiernan and Robert Glenister insures the production’s success.Note that this is not the first time that this story has been told. In the late 80’s Joseph Wambaugh published one of his top true crime books: THE BLOODING. I highly recommend it. Wambaugh is closer to the actual events and writes in a reportorial style that is very engaging. THE BLOODING is right up there with THE ONION FIELD, among his best nonfiction work.CODE OF A KILLER is also very successful and the perfect entertainment for an evening or weekend afternoon. If you enjoy true crime/police procedural/forensic science stories, this is an excellent one.

The movie itself was ok - I wish they would have developed the script more on the development/discoveryof DNA. I read another review on this movie and the person strongly suggested reading the book - much more involved and detailed.Ok, I haven't purchased the book yet. But I have watched this film probably 4 times since receiving it and I must say with each viewing, the movie gets better and better. I also watched the "making of the movie" which I found equally engaging and interesting. And, it was a real treat to see and hear from the real life DCS Baker and Dr. Alec Jeffreys, the research scientist.

Good information about how DNA testing began.

Excellent movie. It seems to be a fairly accurate account of the development of the DNA process and how it became available to law enforcement. Excellent acting, the characters are well done and the plot moves along at just the right pace. Well worth a look.

Product arrived promptly and in perfect condition. I would buy from this seller again, thank you.

It really kept up my interest. Some twists on people of interest but it was like watching history being made.

Very good miniseries about the discovery and first use of DNA and a good police procedural as well. It also features interviews with the real professor and police detective which is informative and enjoyable. Highly recommended.

Everyone should watch this DVD.. and especially all the bonus segments.. where you get to meet these interesting people who have influenced the way we now attempt to solve crimes...

A good watch

I give the film 5 stars for what the science can prove, miracles in every field, and an honest policeman (or every other job) can prove. I loved it.

For all true-crime buffs this really is a must-have DVD. It states at the start that the film is based on a true story and does in fact keep very close to the facts. The story is the well-known one of how, in the 1980s, DNA's genetic make-up was first used to catch a killer: in this case the murderer of two fifteen-year-old girls. The murders were three years apart but DNA proved that both atrocities were committed by the same person. What was notable about the case, of course, was the decision by Chief Superintendent David Baker - who was convinced that the murderer was a local man - to DNA test every male person in a five mile radius of the murders - over 5,000 people - in an attempt to flush out the killer. Understandably this was turned down by the Home Office on the grounds of cost (£100 for each test). According to the film, however, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over-ruled the Home Office and authorised the testing to go ahead. For anyone unfamiliar with the story I will not spoil it by revealing what happened next except to say that it makes gripping viewing.The film is in two parts (as it was, originally, on TV) and the first part, although dealing with the murders and the start of the police investigation, is also absorbing in its relating of Doctor Alec Jeffreys' attempts to prove the uniqueness of DNA's 'bar codes' and of how his work brought him close to a nervous breakdown. His discovery deservedly earned him a knighthood. It is interesting to note that in the scene where Superintendent Baker first approaches Jeffreys, outside Leicester University, to ask him for his help in the case, a man is seen behind Baker walking up some steps with some papers in his hand. This in fact is the real Sir Alec Jeffreys. A nod to Alfred Hitchcock here I think.As an ex-police officer I have two criticisms of the film; one: why is it necessary, in nearly every shot of a moving police car, to show the vehicle with its emergency blue light flashing? Even after routinely collecting boxes of blood samples from the donor building the police vehicles move away with their blue lights on. Two: (and I find this particularly irritating) when calling at the home of a 17-year-old suspect in order to arrest him several police cars - blue lights flashing of course - screech to a halt outside his house and uniformed officers burst into the premises and drag the lad away in front of his parents and bundle him into a car. This is accompanied by much shouting in the street by both sides and is completely unrealistic. In the real world CID officers would have quietly arrived in an unmarked car, introduced themselves, and explained to the lad and his parents why they were there and taken him, possibly accompanied by his parents, to the police station. No noise, no fuss, but this of course would not have made such exciting viewing. (The lad, incidentally, turned out to be innocent.) The scene where the killer is finally arrested is more realistic.These little gripes aside, however, the film is excellent in its portrayal of the tenacity of Superintendent Baker in his determination to catch the killer before he can strike again, and is also a worthy tribute to Sir Alec Jeffreys and his discovery of the uniqueness of the genetic code, something which has transformed police procedure and brought many killers to justice, some of whom had thought that they would never be caught.A footnote. At the time of writing, parole is being considered for the murderer. He has served nearly 28 years in prison and has apparently been a model prisoner, doing charity work for the blind. Naturally enough the families of the murdered teenagers are furious at the thought of him being back on the streets.

Brilliant and insightful series! Enjoyed it very much!

For those of us old enough to remember the event, or have subsequently worked in the Forensic Science field it is a brilliant and thoughtful telling of the horrible murder of two teenagers , a couple of years apart and how their killer was found using a ,then, totally new dna process. Beautifully and sympathetically crafted, it took me back in time. Even knowing the outcome I was fixed to my seat watching it.