Cold case review announced

On THURSDAY, 13 APRIL 2006 a PRESS CONFERENCE was held at the Western Australian POLICE HEADQUARTERS in Perth.

The announcemnt of a review into the investigation of the murder of Pamela Lawrence was made by DEPUTY COMMISSIONER CHRIS DAWSON
AND THE UK FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR, PROFESSOR BARCLAY

MR DAWSON announced that the WA police are undertaking through the Special Crime Squad a review of the investigation into the murder of Pamela Lawrence which took place on the 23rd may, 1994. Briefly, the SCS was established late last year as part of the major crime division. The purpose of that squad is to address the management of cold cases in WA. That’s been staffed with experienced detectives, a forensic specialist and intelligence staff. The squad has responsibility for comprehensive review of all unsolved homicides over 2 years old, all unsolved serious sexual assaults over 2yrs and other offences, as directed. They are particularly directed to review homicide investigations that have been subject of an appeal where the conviction has been set aside, or that there’s been an acquittal in the matter.

In terms of the investigation review regarding the tragic murder of Mrs Pamela Lawrence, on 13 March this year the police commenced a review process in which committee was formed, chaired by Dpty Cmmsnr Chris Dawson, and SCS officers have been tasked with a particular review and that is to cover the following areas:
a) a comprehensive assessment of all persons of interest nominated for the offence and any subsequent investigation into those persons or others;
b) a comprehensive assessment of all messages or information received by police in relation to the investigation and the subsequent police action;
c) a comprehensive review into the forensic evidence relevant to the murder of PL.

Professor David Barclay is the former head of forensic evidence area within the Forensic Services Institute in the UK, and Prof Barclay expand on what his role is in terms of the forensic part of this review process. is known to the people already because he assisted the WA police in reviewing the Macro matter, into the Claremont Serial murders, which is still subject to an ongoing investigation by the SCS. The particular task that the police have asked Prof Barclay to do is to assist the WA police with matters specifically related to the PL murder.

As the WA police have said before that Andrew Mallard remains the prime suspect in this matter, we are confident that a review of this matter will once and for all show that Andrew should never have been a suspect - there is no evidence , forensic or otherwise to link Andrew to this crime. The only "evidence" against Andrew is what the police say Andrew said to them. These interviews were never recorded.

We hope that the findings will be made public and that the WA police make every effort possible to bring to justice the real perpetrator of this terrible crime. The cold case review is a positive step in the right direction.