The innovative crime show goes behind the scenes in the 'golden hour' of a murder probe, the vital first 60 minutes when detectives' decisions make or break their chances of nailing the culprit
BEHIND-the-scenes footage from the vital first 60 minutes of a murder probe reveals the moment detectives realised the suspect was lying.
New ITV documentary An Hour to Catch A Killer takes viewers to the heart of the all-important time window that can make or break a murder investigation – the so-called Golden Hour.
It follows the Northumbria Police's homicide team as they solve the murder of Alice Ruggles, 24, who was found with her throat slit at her flat in Gateshead.
The force began filming themselves from the second the call came in, when the clock started ticking on their chances of finding the culprit.
For the first time on TV, murder squad officers wore HD body cameras recording every moment as the first 60 minutes counts down.
The footage takes viewers inside the crime scene where a camera crew would not be allowed in case they contaminate evidence.
And it follows the detectives through every level of the investigation as it develops, placing the viewer at the sharp end as cops close in on the killer.
A clip revealed today in a sneak peek trailer shows the moment detectives analyse data from a number of mobile phone masts as soldier Trimaan Dhillon's drove towards his barracks in Edinburgh.
They show the victim's phone was in his car at the time she was lying in a pool of blood after being discovered by her flatmate.
One officer says: "The killer blow is the phone, which should be sitting back in Gateshead. That phone is his lie."
Alice had reported SAS wannabe Dhillon to cops weeks before her death after he obsessively stalked her.
He continued to bombard her with messages even after he was was warned off by his commanding officer.
The documentary also features Alice’s parents Clive and Sue who said: “We want to share Alice's story because it highlights the dangers of coercive behaviour and stalking.
"Although the ITV documentary is not specifically about stalking we believe that it will help draw attention to some of the warning signs that should trigger alarm bells."
Det Chief Insp Lisa Theaker said: “Getting evidence in the golden hour is vital. It’s fresh, it’s not contaminated and it might not be there very long.
"The priority for me is securing evidence as quickly as possible.
"Where’s my offender? That’s a real priority for me because there’ll be a wealth of forensic evidence on them. Let’s find who the killer is.”
Host Sir Trevor McDonald said: “An Hour To Catch A Killer will reveal the expertise of Northumbria Police's homicide team through unprecedented access to every layer of the investigation.
"The use of body-worn cameras will provide an incredibly intimate insight into the crucial Golden Hour of a murder inquiry as we follow the team's race against the clock to catch the killer.”
Dhillon was jailed for life with a minimum of 22 years behind bars after being found guilty of murder at Newcastle crown court earlier this year.
An Hour to Catch A Killer with Trevor McDonald is on ITV at 9pm on Thursday October 12.
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