Code of a Killer
Opening title
GenreDocudrama
Created byMichael Crompton
Based onSir Alec Jeffreys' discovery of DNA fingerprinting
Written byMichael Crompton
Directed byJames Strong
Starring
ComposerGlenn Gregory (credited as Glen Gregory)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producerSimon Heath
ProducerPriscilla Parish
CinematographyMatt Gray BSC
Running time69 minutes (inc. adverts)
Production companyWorld Productions
Original release
NetworkITV
Release6 April (2015-04-06) –
13 April 2015 (2015-04-13)

Code of a Killer is a three-part[1] British police drama television series which tells the true story of Alec Jeffreys' discovery of DNA fingerprinting and its introductory use by Detective David Baker in catching the double murderer Colin Pitchfork. Filming commenced in late September 2014, and the program aired on the ITV network, on 6 and 13 April 2015.[2] Endemol Shine handled international distribution of the series.[3]

Plot

Set over a three-year period from 1983 to 1986, DCS David Baker leads an investigation of the vicious murders of the two Leicestershire schoolgirls, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth. Alec Jeffreys at the time was an ambitious scientist who uncovered a remarkable method to read a person's unique DNA finger print. Convinced the murderer was local, Baker approached Jeffreys to utilise his scientific technique as a way to solve the murders. The first ever DNA manhunt and blood testing of many men followed – all in the aid of catching the killer.

Cast

Production

Development

Code of a Killer was commissioned by ITV's Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea on 16 May 2014.[4] The series was developed with the participation of retired Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys and former Detective Chief Superintendent David Baker. It was written by Michael Crompton, directed by James Strong, produced by Priscilla Parish, and executive produced by Simon Heath for World Productions. Filming began in late September 2014,[2] and the episodes were shown on 6 and 13 April 2015 at 9:00 p.m. on the ITV network.

Broadcast

The series premiered in Australia on BBC First on 19 September 2015.[5]

Episodes

# Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK viewers (millions)
Sourced by BARB; includes ITV HD and ITV +1
1"Episode One"James StrongMichael Crompton6 April 2015 (2015-04-06)7.44
In 1983, in a small village outside Leicester, 15-year-old Lynda Mann is raped and strangled. A year on, after an exhaustive but fruitless search for the killer, Detective Chief Superintendent David Baker is forced to scale down the investigation. Meanwhile, at the University of Leicester, scientist Dr Alec Jeffreys invents a remarkable technique to read DNA – the unique genetic fingerprint of every individual – something never previously achieved despite decades of research across the globe. His discovery is first put to use in an immigration case, proving the parentage of a young Ghanaian boy and preventing his deportation. The acceptance of Jeffreys’ findings in a court of law opens the door to DNA testing and he and his university laboratory are swamped by paternity and immigration cases. Summer 1986, and 15-year-old Dawn Ashworth goes missing – last seen a hundred yards from where Lynda's body was discovered. Dawn’s body is found two days later; she has been strangled and hidden in undergrowth near a footpath shortcut. DCS Baker is back on the case – convinced the same culprit has struck again. This time the investigation bears fruit when a young man from the area, seen acting suspiciously at the time of Dawn’s murder, confesses to her killing. However, he refuses to admit he had anything to do with the death of Lynda Mann. Reading about Jeffreys’ work in a local paper, Baker approaches him at the university – perhaps the DNA test can prove the teenager's involvement in Lynda's death? Jeffreys is hesitant – the DNA sample from the murder scene is nearly three years old, and the technique was not intended or designed for criminal investigation. Furthermore, having only been used in paternity and immigration cases, would the findings be accepted in a criminal court? But Jeffreys is able to obtain a clear genetic fingerprint of the murderer from a sample. It proves that the teenager did not kill Lynda Mann... could the murders have been committed by two different men, or is he innocent?
2"Episode Two"James StrongMichael Crompton13 April 2015 (2015-04-13)6.99
In a storm of publicity, the local teenager is released and the world is introduced to the idea of DNA fingerprinting – forensic DNA. But in the villages of Narborough and Enderby there’s a real sense of fear: there’s a murderer in their midst. Baker calls together his team of officers, some of whom doubt the new science and firmly believe they had their man and have been forced to let him go. Baker tells them that the investigation must go back to square one: the statements and paperwork are to be gone through again and again. The killer is dangerous and is likely to strike again. A Crimewatch special is filmed of Dawn's last journey and an emotional appeal made to the public...but still no new evidence comes to light. Baker realizes the usual routes of enquiry just aren’t working; they need something else, and they need it to work before the killer strikes again. He sees that the science offers them an opportunity. If this new DNA fingerprinting can eliminate a killer, it can surely catch one. Baker grabs the local map off his wall and drives to the university. Baker explains to Jeffreys: they now have the DNA code of the killer; he wants to conduct the world's first DNA manhunt, testing the blood of every man in the area aged between 18 and 34, seeking a match with the killer's. Jeffreys is in awe of the magnitude of the idea, and the confidence that Baker has in this new science – the eyes of the world will be on them. The future of forensic DNA will be at stake. Both men know that it's a risk they have to take if they want the killer caught. Baker makes the radical plea to his superiors. Despite the vast expense, the Home Office eventually concede – the testing will be carried out by the Forensic Science Service. It is agreed that the mass screening must be voluntary; for reasons of civil liberty, no-one can be compelled. In order for the manhunt to work, they need the whole community to believe in the science and get behind the idea. Without the villagers' support and a high turnout, it won't work. The screening begins on 1 January. Baker and Jeffreys and their teams of police and doctors wait with bated breath … will they catch the killer?

Reception

Critical reception

The drama received a mixed reception.[6] The first part was criticised for dramatic sluggishness and a reliance on crime-show clichés in the portrayal of the two main characters. The depiction of Alec Jeffreys as the stereotypical absent-minded "boffin" was cited by several reviewers. Gerard O'Donovan in The Daily Telegraph called the show's version of him a "stock obsessive boffin so wedded to his lab instruments that his marriage was permanently on the brink of collapse".[7] Julia Raeside in The Guardian wrote, "There are obligatory scenes in which Jeffreys misses a school play and receives a phone call from his wife pronouncing, 'Your dinner’s in the dog.' There are only so many times co-workers can remark, 'Don’t work too late' or 'Aren’t you going home?' before the hammering repetition starts to cause a dent in your enjoyment."[8] Chris Bennion in The Independent concluded that "Sadly this drama had the fingerprints of countless other by-numbers crime thrillers all over it."[9]

Alex Hardy in The Times was less critical, giving the show four stars out of five and saying that "this fact-based drama managed to balance tragedy with optimism", but added that it "inevitably contained elements of soap".[10][6]

References

  1. ↑ Code of a Killer Acorn Media. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 "ITV Media commissions new drama "Code of a Killer"". ITV Media. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "Code of a Killer - World Productions". World Productions. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "ITV Media on Twitter announces new Code of a Killer commission". ITV Media. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  5. ↑ Purcell, Charles (10 September 2015). "NEW THIS WEEK (Sep 14): Ballers, Nikita, Code Of A Killer, Rugby World Cup and live sport". The Green Room. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Code of a Killer reviews: What TV pundits thought of ITV drama". Leicester Mercury. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  7. ↑ O'Donovan, Gerard (6 April 2015). "Code of a Killer, review: 'not a trace of tension'". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Simm, John (7 April 2015). "Code of a Killer review – this white-coated automaton is no Turing or Hawking". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  9. ↑ Raeside, Julia (14 April 2015). "Code of a Killer, ITV, review: A stodgy, seen-it-before crime drama". The Independent. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "TV review: Code of a Killer; How to Be a Young Billionaire". The Times. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
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