By Graeme Cleland

GROUNDBREAKING FORENSIC technology has allowed detectives investigating a 27-year-old unsolved murder to make “significant progress”.

The killing of Carol Lannen, whose body was found covered with snow by a dog walker at Templeton Woods on the outskirts of Dundee, took place in 1979.

However, employing forensic techniques and specialists not available at the time of the murder, police have identified new information they hope will eventually allow them to solve the crime.

Senior investigating officer in the inquiry, Detective Chief Inspector Ewen West, said, “We are making a great deal of headway in the investigation and are confident that somebody holds the key to identifying Carol’s killer.

“I am determined that no stone will be left unturned and at present my inquiry team are daily identifying individuals all over the country who have previously failed to come forward and who have information which is extremely relevant to the inquiry.

“In many cases these individuals were not aware of the relevance of the information they possessed.

“I would strongly urge anyone who knew Carol or anyone who may have been working as a prostitute and those who associated with or used the services of prostitutes during 1979 to contact the inquiry team now.

“I can appreciate that for many individuals, this may be a period of their life that they may wish to put behind them and that many have moved on and are no longer connected with prostitution. Some may have formed new relationships and wish their past to remain private.

“However, we all want to see justice done and that involves tracking down all those people either working as, or associating with, prostitutes in Dundee back in 1979.

“It will cause far less disruption for these people to come forward now and contact us of their own free will, rather than have police officers arrive on their doorstep.”

Mr West stressed, “I don’t wish to cause upset to anyone’s domestic situation but if we have to, then we will come knocking at their door. People can contact the incident room on a dedicated number...can assure them that the information will be treated in the strictest of confidence and we will take every step to respect their privacy but one way or another, contact them we will.

“I am confident that whoever is responsible for the murder of Carol Lannen has spoken about their crime to a friend, family member, or loved one.

“For whatever reason, that person has not breached his confidence.

“I would ask them now to think again and consider the impact it still has on Carol’s family who have been left to live with their loss.”

The body of 18-year-old Carol Lannen was found in Templeton Woods on the outskirts of Dundee on Wednesday, March 22, 1979.

Police have never closed the murder inquiry and a team of officers are still working full-time on new information that is coming in regularly.

Carol left her home in Hill Street on the night of March 20 and was known to have been in the Castle Street and Exchange Street areas of Dundee city centre, an area she frequented regularly. She was last seen wearing a white polo neck jumper, a brown mid-length striped skirt, a black velvet jacket and black shoes.

On Sunday, April 1, 1979, some of Carol’s belongings were found on the banks of the River Don near the A96 between Hatton of Fintry and Kintore, Aberdeenshire.

Police have enlisted the specialist assistance of both a behavioural profiler and a geographical profiler. The information provided by them has helped identify priority lines of inquiry.

Mr West added, “I believe that whoever threw Carol’s bag in the River Don has some connection with the Kintore, Kemnay or even Alford areas.

“As a result of previous appeals in the media we have already received a number of interesting calls from residents in the area but we would still like to hear of anyone who was known to frequent, live or work in those areas.

“I am confident that somebody may have their suspicions about who may have been responsible and they have yet to come forward and tell us.”

Detectives have been travelling all over the UK and further afield talking to new witnesses, taking statements, and piecing together new information.

Mr West said, “Nearly 3000 statements have been taken, over 1000 questionnaires carried out, and despite the passage of time, new information is still coming in. Several new witnesses have come into the inquiry and they have provided us with significant information on other individuals and about Carol’s movements.

“We are still interested in speaking to anyone who visited Templeton Woods particularly during the evening of Tuesday, March 20, 1979, the night Carol went missing…People who were at Templeton Woods that evening will recall having been there because of the significant events that unfolded.

“The area in general was used amongst others by courting couples looking for some privacy. There may be a number of reasons why individuals were in the area at that time, but I would reassure people that the information that they give will be treated in confidence.”

Anyone with information can contact the police incident room confidential line on 01382 591909 or the force control room on 01382 223200. Information can also be Emailed to the incident room at operation.trinity@tayside.pnn.police.uk or sent via text message to 07980 543641.