Janice Morgan

John Trestrail, a modern-day forensic toxicologist, is unsettled by the circumstantial evidence in Dr. Crippen's case. He's never heard of a poisoning case where the murderer also dismembered his victim. If Dr. Crippen had both poisoned and dismembered Cora, it doesn't make sense that he would have disposed of so much of the body only to leave incriminating evidence in his home.

John Trestrail, a modern-day forensic toxicologist, is unsettled by the circumstantial evidence in Dr. Crippen's case. He's never heard of a poisoning case where the murderer also dismembered his victim. If Dr. Crippen had both poisoned and dismembered Cora, it doesn't make sense that he would have disposed of so much of the body only to leave incriminating evidence in his home.

Intrigued, Trust Trail analyzes Dr. Crippen's court records. After finding more inconsistencies in the case, Trust Trail brings in a forensics expert. They conduct a comprehensive genetic search to find descendants of Cora Crippen and, thanks to the internet, are able to identify three of Cora's living relatives. Then, they try to obtain Cora's DNA.

Intrigued, Trust Trail analyzes Dr. Crippen's court records. After finding more inconsistencies in the case, Trust Trail brings in a forensics expert. They conduct a comprehensive genetic search to find descendants of Cora Crippen and, thanks to the internet, are able to identify three of Cora's living relatives. Then, they try to obtain Cora's DNA.

Scotland Yard had kept three strands of hair and charges £17,500 to run a test on two of them. Unwilling to pay that steep fee, Trestrail turns to the Royal London Hospital archives, which had preserved nine pieces of tissue from the case. At Trestrail's request, the historic medical facility hands over a nearly century-old tissue sample of the torso found in Dr. Crippen's cellar.

Scotland Yard had kept three strands of hair and charges £17,500 to run a test on two of them. Unwilling to pay that steep fee, Trestrail turns to the Royal London Hospital archives, which had preserved nine pieces of tissue from the case. At Trestrail's request, the historic medical facility hands over a nearly century-old tissue sample of the torso found in Dr. Crippen's cellar.

Trestrell compares its DNA with that of Cora's relatives, and the DNA of the body does not match any of Cora's three living relatives. Even weirder, their research shows that the torso found might not even be female. With this new scientific evidence, Trestrell begins to reexamine police and court archives.

Trestrell compares its DNA with that of Cora's relatives, and the DNA of the body does not match any of Cora's three living relatives. Even weirder, their research shows that the torso found might not even be female. With this new scientific evidence, Trestrell begins to reexamine police and court archives.

He uncovers a series of documents that had reportedly been suppressed during the court case. Among them was a letter from Cora herself to Dr. Crippen after the alleged murder, in which she claims to be living in America with no plan to stop his execution. During the 1910 trial, Scotland Yard suspected the letter was a hoax, so it was kept from the jury.

He uncovers a series of documents that had reportedly been suppressed during the court case. Among them was a letter from Cora herself to Dr. Crippen after the alleged murder, in which she claims to be living in America with no plan to stop his execution. During the 1910 trial, Scotland Yard suspected the letter was a hoax, so it was kept from the jury.

This makes Trestrell wonder if, under media pressure, the police had tampered with the evidence to close the case. However, this claim remains in dispute. With DNA that old, some have argued that accurate results aren't guaranteed. The tissue had likely become contaminated.

This makes Trestrell wonder if, under media pressure, the police had tampered with the evidence to close the case. However, this claim remains in dispute. With DNA that old, some have argued that accurate results aren't guaranteed. The tissue had likely become contaminated.

Some note that conclusions drawn from two scientists who'd tested a single, century-old sample is not good cause to reopen the case. The UK's Criminal Cases Review Commission seemingly agree. In 2009, after reviewing Trestrell's findings, they declare that the Court of Appeals will not hear the case to pardon Dr. Crippen posthumously.

Some note that conclusions drawn from two scientists who'd tested a single, century-old sample is not good cause to reopen the case. The UK's Criminal Cases Review Commission seemingly agree. In 2009, after reviewing Trestrell's findings, they declare that the Court of Appeals will not hear the case to pardon Dr. Crippen posthumously.

While it seems an innocent man wouldn't run from his crimes, the Modern DNA investigation certainly raises interesting questions. Then again, if the corpse did belong to someone other than Cora, it's possible Dr. Crippen was involved in that murder. Despite these theories, we can look to Occam's razor to deduce what most likely happened.

While it seems an innocent man wouldn't run from his crimes, the Modern DNA investigation certainly raises interesting questions. Then again, if the corpse did belong to someone other than Cora, it's possible Dr. Crippen was involved in that murder. Despite these theories, we can look to Occam's razor to deduce what most likely happened.

The simpler explanation between two theories is generally preferred. But that doesn't mean it's not worth a second look, even if the crime is more than a century old. Because as Trestrail says, justice doesn't have a time limit.

The simpler explanation between two theories is generally preferred. But that doesn't mean it's not worth a second look, even if the crime is more than a century old. Because as Trestrail says, justice doesn't have a time limit.

Thank you for listening to Serial Killers. We're here with a new episode every Monday. Be sure to check us out on Instagram at Serial Killers Podcast. And if you're listening on Spotify, swipe up and give us your thoughts or email us at SerialKillerStories at Spotify.com.

Thank you for listening to Serial Killers. We're here with a new episode every Monday. Be sure to check us out on Instagram at Serial Killers Podcast. And if you're listening on Spotify, swipe up and give us your thoughts or email us at SerialKillerStories at Spotify.com.