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41 Police J. 319 (1968)
The Murder of Linda Peacock: A Triumph for Forensic Odontology

handle is hein.journals/policejl41 and id is 321 raw text is: DET. CHIEF SUPT. WILLIAM MUNCIE Lanarkshire Constabulary Mr. Muncie was in charge of the inquiry into the following murder, which is surely unique in British criminal annals, for a warrant to take measurements and examine a person was granted before his arrest and his being charged. It is thought also that this is the first time that a conviction for murder has been so completely dependent on dental evidence. THE MURDER OF LINDA PEACOCK: A Triumph for Forensic Odontology On Sunday, August 6, 1967, in the picturesque market village of Biggar, in the uplands of Lanarkshire, the 3,000 odd villagers had spent just another pleasant day, the only diversion from normality having been a travelling Fair, but as the day ended there was creeping into the minds of two parents a fear for their 15-year-old daughter's safety. Linda Peacock was a happy girl, perfectly normal for her 15 years, attractive and perhaps best known among the village girls by reason of her equestrian ability. She was regularly to be seen ex- ercising ponies at and around a nearby farm and competing at local gymkhanas. She lived in what the national press came to describe as a picture postcard cottage about a mile and a half from the village. That day she had spent among the ponies and about 8 p.m. she was given a lift in a car into the village by a young man, well known to the family, who was temporarily lodging with them. On dropping Linda in the village, he inquired about her getting home and suggested he might pick her up. She had replied that he need not bother as he had let her down with a similar arrangement one evening earlier that week. He saw her walk from his car and join a girl of about her own age. About 11 p.m. he returned to his lodgings and was immediately asked by Linda's mother if he had seen her. He was surprised that she had not returned and immediately drove to the village to check at relations' homes, but Linda had not visited there. The relatives joined him in further unsuccessful searching and then informed the police. Two village constables joined in the search of the village and country- side towards her home. The Scene Between the village and her home lay St. Mary's Cemetery and at 6.40 a.m. the constables found Linda dead, lying by a gravestone, almost hidden from view by a yew tree. She had two open wounds on the crown of the head, which had bled freely. She had been strangled by a ligature but this had been removed, presumably by her attacker. July 1968 319

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