Famous Scottish “murder case” re-examined in forensic podcast

Forensic Sciences in Detail features researchers from the University’s Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) and leading experts from medicine, science and law who compare the investigation of historical crimes with today’s practice.

As part of the third season of the podcast, they investigate a strange death that occurred on August 10, 1893, during a private hunting party at the Ardlamont estate in Argyll, Scotland.

A young aristocrat, his teacher – who would become the prime suspect – and a stranger went hunting in the estate’s woods, each carrying a long double-barreled shotgun.

Moments later, servants heard a gunshot. Windsor aristocrat Dudley Cecil Hambrough – who had recently taken over his family’s estate – was dead.

Hambrough’s teacher, Alfred John Monson, was later tried for murder.

In the podcast, narrated by broadcaster Pennie Stuart, experts from the LRCFS and senior officers from the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) forensic service examine the case in detail and review the actual evidence presented to the court at the time.

Other experts such as doctors, forensic scientists, gamekeepers and lawyers also discuss the evidence.

Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Director of the LRCFS, said: “We are delighted to be working with the team at Adventurous Audio and all the specialists and practitioners who have shared their experience and knowledge with us as we investigate this case.

“The goal of the six-part podcast is not to reopen the case, but to explore the complexity of forensic science, the challenges that the jury may have in understanding scientific evidence, and what tools developed and used today might be helpful in criminal investigations.”

The current season as well as the previous episodes on special cases can be found on all podcast providers.