Police 'progress' on 1979 murder

The case into Carol Lannen's killing has never been closed

Police investigating a murder in Dundee more than 25 years ago said they have made significant progress with the case through new forensic techniques.

Officers have never closed the case into the death of Carol Lannen, 18, who was found in Templeton Woods in 1979.

Detectives said they were now identifying people who had a connection to the case but failed to come forward.

Tayside Police urged anyone with information to contact the force or face a visit from officers.

New techniques not available at the time of the murder, such as examining DNA from clothing, are now being used in a bid to generate new leads.

Det Ch Insp Ewen West, who is leading the investigation, said officers were making "a great deal of headway" in the case and were confident that someone was holding the key to identifying Miss Lannen's killer.

'Daily' contacts

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

Anyone who knew the teenager or who may have been working in or using prostitution in the Dundee area during 1979 has been urged to immediately contact officers.

Mr West added: "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.

"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.

"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."

Miss Lannen's body was found in the woods, an area which was used by courting couples seeking privacy, on 22 March, 1979.

Advances in forensic techniques have shed new light on the case

She left her home in Dundee's Hill Street on the night of 20 March and was known to have been in the Castle Street and Exchange Street areas of Dundee city centre, an area she frequented on a regular basis.

Some of her belongings were later found on the banks of the River Don near the A96 between Hatton of Fintry and Kintore, in Aberdeenshire.

Mr West said he believed that whoever threw her bag in the river had some connection with the Kintore, Kemnay or even Alford areas.

Detectives said they were also confident that whoever was responsible for the murder had confided to a friend, family member or loved one.

Officers working on the inquiry have been travelling all over the UK and beyond, talking to new witnesses and piecing together updated information.

The investigation has now amassed more than 6,000 documents and resulted in almost 3,000 statements being taken.