TV show sparks forensic questions

Barri White was jailed for the murder of his teenage girlfriend

Police are investigating whether key forensic evidence needs to be reviewed in the Rachel Manning murder case, following a BBC investigation.

The BBC's Thursday night Rough Justice programme suggested the wrong men may have been sent to prison for the crime.

Ms Manning's disfigured body was found at Woburn Golf and Country Club, Bucks, in December 2000.

Barri White was jailed for life for her murder. Keith Hyatt was jailed for perverting the course of justice.

He was sentenced to five years in prison.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "We have watched the programme and we will now investigate whether or not we need to review the forensic evidence in this case.

Keith Hyatt was found guilty of perverting the course of justice

"We will co-operate fully with any appeal process."

The BBC investigation commissioned independent forensic expert Dr Peter Bull, from the University of Oxford, to review the forensic evidence against White and Hyatt.

It was alleged they used Hyatt's van to transport Ms Manning's body to the Woburn Golf and Country Club.

Dr Bull also conducted tests on Ms Manning's skirt, which the prosecution said showed evidence it had been in the van.

Dr Bull found that not only was there no evidence linking Hyatt's van to Ms Manning, but also the lack of any mud particles "was evidence to show they were not at the scene where the body was found.

"There is just no evidence. None whatsoever," he said.

Rough Justice reporter Mark Daly welcomed the police comments.

"We welcome the Thames Valley police decision to investigate. This is the first step to clearing the names of two innocent men, one of whom remains in prison with 12 years of a life sentence still to serve", he said.