Lucan

[Geddy2112]

A 3 hour documentary has landed on the BBC iPlayer regarding the Lord Lucan case. It's now 50 years since it happened and Lucan if alive would be nearly 91. I'm not an expert on the case but found the documentary, even without knowing the facts rather fanciful. The son of the victim seemed too easily led astray and the whole series seemed rather lacking in evidence.
I got to the end and all I can think of was repeatedly shouting at the screen get a DNA sample and save yourself some hassle...

[Herlock Sholmes]

I’ve seen the first two Geddy. I’ll try and watch the third tonight. It’s always been an interesting case but I’d think it unlikely to be resolved. I notice that there doesn’t appear to have been a book written on this proposed solution?

[Geddy2112]

I’ve seen the first two Geddy. I’ll try and watch the third tonight. It’s always been an interesting case but I’d think it unlikely to be resolved. I notice that there doesn’t appear to have been a book written on this proposed solution?

To be fair I got half way through the second and gave up as it was getting like sh1t from China... far fetched. Like I said a DNA sample would have cleared it up for good...

[caz]

The people involved could not have forced anyone to give a DNA sample, and if one had been taken by stealth I'm not sure it could have been used even if it had given the desired result.

In any case, there were other means to identify the supposed fugitive as someone else, despite several promising similarities that seemed unlikely to be coincidental. But confirmation bias can do funny things.

I watched all three episodes, but the third was the hardest and saddest to watch, as one man's long obsession took its toll on him and his own family.

Love,

Caz
X

[Geddy2112]

The people involved could not have forced anyone to give a DNA sample, and if one had been taken by stealth I'm not sure it could have been used even if it had given the desired result.

I'd be amazed if DNA was not brought up during the course of the making of the documentary and the sceptic in my thinks they got the DNA but it did not provide the answer the 'show' wanted so was ditched. They had letters from this bloke who could have easily licked the envelope or stamps etc. DNA should have been the first port of call even if it was to ask for it to clear any confusion and the poor blokes demise over the filming of the documentary.

[Herlock Sholmes]

I watched the third one today and I agree with Caz in that the last one was tough going as you could only wonder at the level of tolerance from his family. How close to breaking point is that marriage? Let’s hope not close at all. When is an obsession not an obsession? For me, the old guy did show a resemblance to Lucan and his initial interview was certainly strange in that he appeared to be admitting it. But even though it appears to be the case that this guy isn’t Lucan you feel that Neil just wouldn't be prepared to accept any evidence that didn’t say that this man was him.

I agree with the points about DNA. Surely someone would have thought to ask and if they had refused to give a sample then Neil would have been trumpeting it as further proof of him being Lucan. Either way, a refusal would have appeared suspicious if this guy had nothing to hide. I find the lack of any mention of DNA to be strange unless they are hoping for a series two based around an effort to obtain DNA from the old man and Lucan’s family?

One other interesting point though. If this guy wasn’t Lucan then what use is that facial recognition software which had 3 labs all saying that it was Lucan. Anyone trying to get someone convicted using that software is going to get ‘Lucan’ repeated to them Im guessing.

[OneRound]

Hi all,

Very much in agreement with the comments above. The Lucan story itself is compelling but this was essentially an overlong viewing of a sad obsession going nowhere.

Just to throw in something else that is often overlooked or rarely given enough prominence. Lucan was a very tall man - 6' 4'' (1.93 m). That is something he could not change or disguise and would have considerably added to the difficulty of not being spotted soon after the murder of Sandra Rivett, let alone for subsequent decades.

Even allowing for some shrinkage in old age, I'm sure lack of height could eliminate some of any remaining ''Lucan suspects'' without needing to resort to DNA.

Best regards,
OneRound

[caz]

I agree with the points about DNA. Surely someone would have thought to ask and if they had refused to give a sample then Neil would have been trumpeting it as further proof of him being Lucan. Either way, a refusal would have appeared suspicious if this guy had nothing to hide. I find the lack of any mention of DNA to be strange unless they are hoping for a series two based around an effort to obtain DNA from the old man and Lucan’s family?

One other interesting point though. If this guy wasn’t Lucan then what use is that facial recognition software which had 3 labs all saying that it was Lucan. Anyone trying to get someone convicted using that software is going to get ‘Lucan’ repeated to them Im guessing.

Good point, Herlock, about the facial recognition software. I came away thinking it can't be very sophisticated yet, if the 3 labs each produced a case of mistaken identity. Might as well have asked members of the public to compare two photos!

If the old man was asked to give a DNA sample, I assume he did refuse [otherwise it would have been case closed from that point and a waste of everyone's time] but who could blame him? His eccentric lifestyle and many name changes, and his failure to identify himself immediately by his real name, strongly suggest he'd have had personal reasons for not providing a DNA sample in any event. I should imagine very few people would willingly give their DNA to a stranger who was evidently on some sort of mission, whether they had anything to hide or not! If Davina McCall showed up on my doorstep, asking me if I want to know who I am, I'd ask her who does she think she is.

Love,

Caz
X

[Herlock Sholmes]

Good point, Herlock, about the facial recognition software. I came away thinking it can't be very sophisticated yet, if the 3 labs each produced a case of mistaken identity. Might as well have asked members of the public to compare two photos!

If the old man was asked to give a DNA sample, I assume he did refuse [otherwise it would have been case closed from that point and a waste of everyone's time] but who could blame him? His eccentric lifestyle and many name changes, and his failure to identify himself immediately by his real name, strongly suggest he'd have had personal reasons for not providing a DNA sample in any event. I should imagine very few people would willingly give their DNA to a stranger who was evidently on some sort of mission, whether they had anything to hide or not! If Davina McCall showed up on my doorstep, asking me if I want to know who I am, I'd ask her who does she think she is.

Love,

Caz
X

A couple of the points that the old man made (about karma?) plus the name changes that you’ve mentioned Caz might be an indication that this guy has something in his past that he wanted to remain buried? Maybe something criminal? Or if not, possibly something that weighed on his conscience; something serious or shameful? Maybe he took to the ‘spiritual’ lifestyle as way of either easing his conscience or even of trying to make amends in some way? With those other identities he might even have had some kind of breakdown? Who knows? My main question now would be…will Neil accept that it’s probably over and move on? He lost a mother that he never knew but I’m wondering if he’s in danger of losing a wife? She looked more than a little ‘long suffering’ to me. Let’s hope not.