Solving a murder mystery

by Sue Black

As the first forensic anthropology students take up their placements this month as part of the new BSc (hons) course in forensic anthropology, staff from the department are playing a central role in the biggest forensic archaeological and anthropological investigation that Scotland has ever seen.

Excavators moved into Dalmagarry quarry 12 miles south of Inverness over the summer and a team of forensic anthropologists from the University were there to begin the search that could finally end the most baffling murder mystery in recent Scottish history.

On 12 November 1976 Renee MacRae and her son Andrew (aged just 3 years) disappeared and have not been heard from since. Renee’s blue BMW was found burning in a layby alongside the A9 and close to the Dalmagarry quarry. Despite a massive police search in 1976 no evidence of the bodies or their personal belongings have ever been found.

Northern constabulary reopened this case earlier this year and have concentrated their efforts on the excavation of the disused sand and gravel quarry that covers nearly 900 square yards. An unimaginable 20,000 tons of soil and nearly 1800 conifer trees have to be moved in an attempt to find what will likely be the skeletal remains of the missing mother and her child.

The anthropology team is led by Professor Sue Black of the University's Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology Unit and includes Dr Tim Thompson, who has been with the University since April, and Fraser Pryde, a postgraduate student within the unit.

Sue Black commented, "If the bodies are here, we will find them. We hope that this investigation will finally solve the mystery of this double murder, bring some closure to the family and bring the perpetrator of a horrendous crime to justice."