Cold case murders probed

The force has set up a dedicated team to review "cold" cases because of advances in DNA techniques.

Work is already underway to track down offenders who committed crimes in the county dating as far back as the late 1950s.

Headed by Detective Superintendent Richard Fewkes, the small team of investigators will be based at Maltby Police Station in Rotherham and will focus on historic sex offences.

"Our work will be based on the materials and samples held by the Forensic Science Service, which go right back to 1959," explained Det Supt Fewkes.

"Advancements in DNA and the introduction of the National DNA Database means we will be able to re-examine those cases in a renewed effort to trace the offenders."

The team is working backwards from 1992 and has already identified four cases where a full DNA profile has been obtained.

"We're liaising closely with our colleagues at the FSS and the CPS to decide which cases to review and how they should progress," continued Det Supt Fewkes.

"These cases all relate to serious sexual assaults, some committed by serial offenders.

"Once we've identified potential suspects then we would start to reinvestigate, approach the victim, and rebuild the case."

The force has already successfully used such methods previously, most notably to help catch 'Shoe Rapist' James Lloyd more than two decades after he terrorised women in the Dearne Valley.

See tomorrow's Star for more about the about cold case review team.