CSI proves Dr Crippen was innocent: DNA tests reveal remains in the cellar 'were not his wife' | Daily Mail Online
CSI proves Dr Crippen was innocent: DNA tests reveal remains in the cellar 'were not his wife'
Modern CSI methods have been used to prove Dr Hawley Crippen – who gained a reputation as one of the most notorious murderers in British history - did not kill his wife.
The breakthrough comes more than 100 years after he was hanged for allegedly poisoning Cora.
Now scientists say DNA tests show the remains found at the couple’s home were not hers.
Dr Hawley Crippen and his lover Ethel Le Neve. The pair had fled when Cora Crippen was reported missing
The prosecution said Cora Turner was murdered by her husband Dr Crippen
Police investigating the disappearance of Mrs Crippen had discovered a headless corpse in the coal cellar of her Holloway home.
Dr Crippen had already fled with his secretary Ethel Le Neve, and  they were on a ship travelling to Canada when they were recognised by  the captain.
A piece of flesh featured a scar similar to one Mrs Crippen had on her  torso and a jury took less than half an hour to sentence the homeopath  to death.
But now scientists at the University of Michigan claim the remains were actually male, the Sunday Express reported.
Tests – similar to those used on the Channel 5 drama CSI – compared  DNA from the remains to samples from Mrs Crippen’s living relatives and  found no match.
Lead scientist David Foran said: ‘Based on genealogical and DNA  research, the tissue used to convict Dr Crippen was not that of Cora.
‘Further DNA testing showed the tissue was male.’
The findings were published in the Journal of Forensic Science in  America and were co-authored by poisoning expert John Trestrail.
Mr Foran added: ‘All we can say scientifically is, the tissue did not come from Cora.
‘One possibility is that Crippen murdered someone else and those were  the remains discovered. Another possibility is that the celebrated  investigators planted the evidence.’
The news follows years of campaigning by Dr Crippen’s supporters to secure an official pardon.
Patrick Crippen, his closest living relative, said last year: ‘It is a  celebrated horror case but the prosecution was entirely wrong. 
‘The DNA evidence and a longer, more sober look at the facts reveals this is a gross miscarriage of justice.’
Dr Crippen with Ms Le Neve during their trial for murder. The homeopath was  found guilty and executed, while his alleged accomplice was acquitted
Modern CSI techniques - similar to those used in the show of the same name - have ascertained the remains found in Dr Crippen's cellar were not his wife's