S03E03: Human Error | David Wilson’s Crime Files

Duration: 28'05''

Synopsis

Criminologist David Wilson dissects the cost human analysis of evidence has on a murder case and asks whether we rely too heavily on forensic science.

Further Information

More clips from David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E01: Waiting for Science | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E01: Waiting for Science | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'03''

Criminologist David Wilson inspects the scientific advancements that helped solve some of Scotland's trickiest cold ...

S03E02: Mysterious Deaths | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E02: Mysterious Deaths | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'05''

Criminologist David Wilson explores mysterious deaths and what happens when murders are clouded in mystery.

S03E04: Public Appeals | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E04: Public Appeals | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'00''

Criminologist David Wilson explores the relationship between cold cases and the media, with its use of public appeals to ...

S03E05: Missing Sex Workers | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E05: Missing Sex Workers | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'06''

Criminologist David Wilson examines Scotland's dark history of murdered sex workers - is there a reason why these wo...

S03E06: A Guilty Conscience | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E06: A Guilty Conscience | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'00''

Criminologist David Wilson explores the concept of guilt by examining the case of a missing girl from 1957.

S03E07: Missing Without a Trace | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E07: Missing Without a Trace | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'00''

Criminologist David Wilson explores what happens when someone goes missing without a trace.

S03E08: Not Proven | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E08: Not Proven | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'00''

Criminologist David Wilson explores how the unique Scottish verdict of not proven can lead to unanswered questions.

S03E09: Confirmation Bias | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E09: Confirmation Bias | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'00''

Criminologist David Wilson explores the concept of police confirmation bias – when our law enforcers overlook the evid...

S03E10: Killer Secrets Taken to the Grave | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E10: Killer Secrets Taken to the Grave | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'00''

Criminologist David Wilson dissects the mindset of serial killers and why they might take pleasure fro...

More resources about How criminal evidence is processed

S01E01: The Disappearance of Julie Reilly | Murder Case

S01E01: The Disappearance of Julie Reilly | Murder Case

BBC Scotland | 2019 | 58'02''

In March 2018, Julie Reilly was reported missing. The skilled investigators of Police Scotland's major investigations...

S01E02: The Search for Julie Reilly | Murder Case

S01E02: The Search for Julie Reilly | Murder Case

BBC Scotland | 2019 | 57'58''

This episode starts with the interrogation of the number one suspect. With no body, it takes all the detectives' skill to p...

S01E03: Who Killed Stephen Wallace? | Murder Case

S01E03: Who Killed Stephen Wallace? | Murder Case

BBC Scotland | 2019 | 58'07''

Forty-six-year-old Stephen Wallace is found dead in his Paisley home from a number of injuries. The detectives forensically...

S02E01: Who Killed Paul Matheison? | Murder Case

S02E01: Who Killed Paul Matheison? | Murder Case

BBC Scotland | 2020 | 58'07''

The detectives investigate the case of 37-year-old Paul Mathieson, who was brutally assaulted and found fighting for his lif...

S02E02: Inside the Enquiry | Murder Case

S02E02: Inside the Enquiry | Murder Case

BBC Scotland | 2020 | 57'59''

Exploring what it is like to work on devastating cases, like the murder of Alesha MacPhail and the disappearance of Julie Reilly.

S02E03: The Hunt for Mary McLaughlin's Killer | Murder Case

S02E03: The Hunt for Mary McLaughlin's Killer | Murder Case

BBC Scotland | 2020 | 59'00''

Detectives take on a decades-long mystery when they reinvestigate the 1984 murder of Mary McLaughlin. A new suspe...

S02E06: Missing Presumed Murdered | David Wilson's Crime Files

S02E06: Missing Presumed Murdered | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2021 | 27'58''

Criminologist David Wilson finds out how to secure a murder conviction when there is no dead body.

S03E01: Waiting for Science | David Wilson's Crime Files

S03E01: Waiting for Science | David Wilson's Crime Files

BBC Scotland | 2022 | 28'03''

Criminologist David Wilson inspects the scientific advancements that helped solve some of Scotland's trickiest cold ...

S01E05: DNA, Fibres and Crime Scene Management (Extended Version) | Expert Witness

S01E05: DNA, Fibres and Crime Scene Management (Extended Version) | Expert Witness

BBC One | 2022 | 43'31''

DNA and an expert witness solve a 50-year-old cold case, a murder is solved by tracking un...

S01E14: Paint Materials and Blood Patterns | Expert Witness

S01E14: Paint Materials and Blood Patterns | Expert Witness

BBC One | 2021 | 28'48''

Forensics analysis by an art expert proves paintings by a well-known Cornish artist are fake, and spattered blood...

Fingerprint analysis and bias | Fingerprints on Trial

Fingerprint analysis and bias | Fingerprints on Trial

BBC Radio 4 | 2011 | 8'52''

Introduction to forensic evidence and fingerprint collection and analysis including cognitive biases.

Found Under the Floor | The Big Cases

Found Under the Floor | The Big Cases

BBC News | 2023 | 22'55''

The story of Bennylyn and Jellica who were murdered after starting a new life in the UK.

Knife Crime | Y Byd ar Bedwar

Knife Crime | Y Byd ar Bedwar

S4C | 2024 | 23'57''

We discuss the rise of knife crime in Wales.

S01E01: Killing Behind Closed Doors, Part 1 | Murder 24/7

S01E01: Killing Behind Closed Doors, Part 1 | Murder 24/7

BBC Two | 2020 | 59'12''

Following the critical first two days of the investigation into the murder of 36-year-old Courtney Valentine-Brown,...

S01E02: Killing Behind Closed Doors, Part 2 | Murder 24/7

S01E02: Killing Behind Closed Doors, Part 2 | Murder 24/7

BBC Two | 2020 | 59'05''

Following the investigation into the murder of Courtney Valentine-Brown. One suspect, Ian Slater, names another, Al...

S01E03: Killing Behind Closed Doors, Part 3 | Murder 24/7

S01E03: Killing Behind Closed Doors, Part 3 | Murder 24/7

BBC Two | 2020 | 59'04''

The investigation into the murder of Courtney Valentine-Brown concludes. With one suspect outstanding, one on bail ...

S01E04: Murder on the Streets, Part 1 | Murder 24/7

S01E04: Murder on the Streets, Part 1 | Murder 24/7

BBC Two | 2020 | 58'45''

This episode follows detectives and specialists as they investigate a double stabbing in Colchester's homeless community ...

S01E05: Murder on the Streets, Part 2 | Murder 24/7

S01E05: Murder on the Streets, Part 2 | Murder 24/7

BBC Two | 2020 | 58'33''

Episode five continues to follow the investigation into the killing of Carl Hopkins in Colchester. As the case enters its...

S02E01: The DPD Murder, Part 1 | Murder 24/7

S02E01: The DPD Murder, Part 1 | Murder 24/7

BBC Two | 2025 | 58'36''

After a delivery driver is ambushed and beaten to death in broad daylight, detectives from West Mercia Police begin a major manh...

S02E01: The Grey Tracksuit | Crimewatch Caught

S02E01: The Grey Tracksuit | Crimewatch Caught

BBC One Wales | 2025 | 28'56''

How CCTV of a change of tracksuit unlocked the truth about the senseless murder of a loved son. And South Wales Police disrupt...