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Edinburgh Live
10-07-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Former cop who helped put Peter Tobin in Edinburgh prison says AI can solve more murders
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A former police chief who brought serial killer Peter Tobin to justice has said advances in technology, including AI, could help solve more murders. David Swindle let the investigation into Tobin's murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk in Glasgow 2006. He then launched Operation Anagram, a UK wide probe which saw Tobin convicted of the murders of two other women - 15 year old Vicky Hamilton from Bathgate, West Lothian and 18 year old student Dinah McNicol from Essex in England, reports the Daily Record. In an exclusive interview with Criminal Record, Swindle said: "Tobin has killed other people. I have no doubt of that. "We don't know how many people, it could be 48 it could be 480. That is the sad reality. Tobin was in total denial of the murders he had been convicted of and never admitted killing other people. "I was proud of the work we did on Operation Anagram but sad that we never found other victims." Swindle says CCTV systems, door bell cameras, dash cam footage, mobile phone and DNA analysis are examples of the type of modern technology that would have nailed killers in the past had they been available to detectives at the time. Now he is hoping future technological advances such as AI and improvements to DNA testing will throw up evidence of other murders Tobin has committed. He believes his crimes are comparable to those of other serial killers such Fred and Rosemary West, Ian Brady and Denis Nilsen. However Swindle doesn't think Tobin is Bible John, the man said to have murdered three young Glasgow mothers in the late 1960s. He carried out two cold case reviews of the unsolved homicides when he was in the force and believes the three killings may be the work of more than one man. Handyman Tobin met Angelika while they were both working at St Patrick's Church in Glasgow. The 23 year old's body was found buried under floorboards after she was reported missing and police discovered she had been stabbed, beaten and raped. Tobin was convicted of her murder the following year at the High Court in Glasgow and sentenced to life. Swindle added: "I set up Operation Anagram after the murder of Angelika Kluk to look at Tobin's whole life and where he was from the time he was born. "As a result we identified that Tobin had killed two other women - Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol. Tobin targeted people who were vulnerable. Angelika was vulnerable. A young woman in a strange country trying to earn a living. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "He was a murderer, a serial killer, a horrible cowardly killer. Tobin didn't confess to anything. He was interviewed at length numerous times buy our Anagram team using expert psychologists and profilers. "Tobin was a narcissistic controlling individual that denied everything to the bitter end." Tobin died in 2022 at the age of 76 at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He had also been convicted of the murders of Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol and given two additional life sentences. During the Anagram investigation police discovered items of women's jewellery at properties in Scotland and England where Tobin had lived which they suspect may have been kept by him as souvenirs. Swindle believes these items are the key to identifying other victims. He said: "There are different women's DNA on that jewellery which we have never identified. I believe they are the result of some horrible acts. "There is the hope that perhaps one day we will identify the owners. The question is why does a serial killer have women's jewellery? We always live in hope that perhaps some day there will be a body or human remains that links Tobin into the DNA we have got." Swindle is convinced that improvements in forensic science will finally bring justice to Tobin's other victims. He said: "Technology changes, things change over the years. Policing has changed dramatically since I joined in 1977. Things will continue to change and continue to improve. "I don't know where we will be in ten years time. The big thing that comes up is Artificial Intelligence. It will never replace the role of the detective But we can make better use of it and the police can use it more." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Swindle says it's possible that improvements in forensic science could also be used to solve the Bible John murders. Three women, Patricia Docker, Jemima MacDonald and Helen Puttock, were found murdered near their homes in Glasgow between 1968 and 1969 after spending the evening in the city's Barrowland Ballroom. The sister of the third victim Helen Puttock told police that a man who had shared a taxi with them from the Barrowland and was suspected of being her killer had quoted extensively from the bible during the journey. As a result the mystery man was dubbed Bible John by newspapers. Swindle added: "I was involved in reviewing these murders twice. I wasn't convinced that the same person was involved in all three. Tobin is not Bible John. "There is no evidence to say that Peter Tobin is the person who killed these three people. There was some DNA examined and it wasn't Tobin's" During his reviews of the case Swindle also discovered that Tobin who was newly married had also been living in Brighton in the south of England around the time of the murders of Jemima MacDonald and Helen Puttock. The DNA which was compared to Tobin's was from the clothing of Helen Puttock.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Daily Record
Ex-top cop says AI can nail Peter Tobin for more murders and solve Bible John killings
The man who brought serial killer Peter Tobin to justice says future advances in forensic science could identify more victims and even solve the Bible John murders The former police chief who brought serial killer Peter Tobin to justice says advances in forensic science - including AI - could link him to other murders and finally solve the Bible John killings. David Swindle led the investigation into Tobin's murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk in Glasgow 2006. He then set up Operation Anagram, a UK wide police probe which led to Tobin being convicted of the murders of two other women - 15 year old Vicky Hamilton from Bathgate, West Lothian and 18 year old student Dinah McNicol from Essex in England. In an exclusive interview with Criminal Record Swindle said: "Tobin has killed other people. I have no doubt of that. "We don't know how many people, it could be 48 it could be 480. That is the sad reality. "Tobin was in total denial of the murders he had been convicted of and never admitted killing other people. "I was proud of the work we did on Operation Anagram but sad that we never found other victims." Swindle says CCTV systems, door bell cameras, dash cam footage, mobile phone and DNA analysis are examples of the type of modern technology that would have nailed killers in the past had they been available to detectives at the time. Now he is hoping future technological advances such as AI and improvements to DNA testing will throw up evidence of other murders Tobin has committed. He believes his crimes are comparable to those of other serial killers such Fred and Rosemary West, Ian Brady and Denis Nilsen. However Swindle doesn't think Tobin is Bible John, the man said to have murdered three young Glasgow mothers in the late 1960s. He carried out two cold case reviews of the unsolved homicides when he was in the force and believes the three killings may be the work of more than one man. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Handyman Tobin met Angelika while they were both working at St Patrick's Church in Glasgow. The 23 year old's body was found buried under floorboards after she was reported missing and police discovered she had been stabbed, beaten and raped. Tobin was convicted of her murder the following year at the High Court in Glasgow and sentenced to life. Swindle added:"I set up Operation Anagram after the murder of Angelika Kluk to look at Tobin's whole life and where he was from the time he was born. "As a result we identified that Tobin had killed two other women - Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol. "Tobin targeted people who were vulnerable. Angelika was vulnerable. A young woman in a strange country trying to earn a living. "He was a murderer, a serial killer, a horrible cowardly killer. Tobin didn't confess to anything. "He was interviewed at length numerous times buy our Anagram team using expert psychologists and profilers. "Tobin was a narcissistic controlling individual that denied everything to the bitter end." Tobin died in 2022 at the age of 76 at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. He had also been convicted of the murders of Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol and given two additional life sentences. During the Anagram investigation police discovered items of women's jewellery at properties in Scotland and England where Tobin had lived which they suspect may have been kept by him as souvenirs. Swindle believes these items are the key to identifying other victims. He said: "There are different women's DNA on that jewellery which we have never identified. I believe they are the result of some horrible acts. "There is the hope that perhaps one day we will identify the owners. The question is why does a serial killer have women's jewellery? "We always live in hope that perhaps some day there will be a body or human remains that links Tobin into the DNA we have got." Swindle is convinced that improvements in forensic science will finally bring justice to Tobin's other victims. He said: "Technology changes, things change over the years. Policing has changed dramatically since I joined in 1977. "Things will continue to change and continue to improve. "I don't know where we will be in ten years time. The big thing that comes up is Artificial Intelligence. "It will never replace the role of the detective But we can make better use of it and the police can use it more." Swindle says it's possible that improvements in forensic science could also be used to solve the Bible John murders. Three women, Patricia Docker, Jemima MacDonald and Helen Puttock, were found murdered near their homes in Glasgow between 1968 and 1969 after spending the evening in the city's Barrowland Ballroom. The sister of the third victim Helen Puttock told police that a man who had shared a taxi with them from the Barrowland and was suspected of being her killer had quoted extensively from the bible during the journey. As a result the mystery man was dubbed Bible John by newspapers. Swindle added:"I was involved in reviewing these murders twice. I wasn't convinced that the same person was involved in all three. Tobin is not Bible John. "There is no evidence to say that Peter Tobin is the person who killed these three people. There was some DNA examined and it wasn't Tobin's" During his reviews of the case Swindle also discovered that Tobin who was newly married had also been living in Brighton in the south of England around the time of the murders of Jemima MacDonald and Helen Puttock. The DNA which was compared to Tobin's was from the clothing of Helen Puttock.
Glasgow Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Peter Tobin detective brings true crime show to Glasgow
David Swindle, best known for his work on the Tobin case and leading Operation Anagram, will be on stage at Barras Art & Design for 'Murder: A Search for the Truth' on October 12. Mr Swindle will explore the realities of murder investigations alongside Sunday Mail columnist, broadcaster, and publicist Heather Suttie. Read more: 'Immeasurable' impact of new garden area at Hamilton hospital Man charged after 'wilful fire raising' and 'vandalism' at cemetery Mr Swindle said: "I'm looking forward to being on stage with Heather, bringing together a new dynamic of the detective's insight and an inquisitive publicist's questions. "This tour is a rare chance to hear real stories and understand the truth behind the headlines." With more than 30 years of experience in policing, Mr Swindle has been involved in hundreds of murder cases, supporting families and cracking major crimes. The event will delve into some of the UK's most challenging investigations, including suspicious deaths abroad and unresolved cases at home. Ms Suttie will pose the questions the public wants answered. Together, they will examine why killers commit their crimes and whether it is possible to identify them before they strike. They will also discuss whether a perfect murder could ever exist. Tickets for the event are priced at £24 plus a booking fee and are available via Eventbrite and
Edinburgh Live
18-06-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Peter Tobin documentary on how cops caught notorious killer soars up download charts
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Get the latest Edinburgh Live breaking news on WhatsApp A documentary on Peter Tobin is now one of BBC Scotland's most requested downloads after being viewed more than a million times. The Hunt For Peter Tobin examines how three missing persons cases led to the capture of one of Scotland's most notorious killers. The Sunday Mail exclusively revealed the last photo of Tobin in which he lay handcuffed to a bed seriously ill. Tobin is serving a whole life term for killing Vicky Hamilton, Dinah McNicol and Angelika Kluk. He then died the next month, aged 76, in October 2022. Released in March and available on BBC iPlayer, the documentary is now ranked as one of the top 20 most-watched this year. A BBC Scotland spokeswoman said: 'The Hunt for Peter Tobin is currently in the Top 20 'most requested' of 2025 with over 1.1m streaming requests.' The show reveals how it was only after his 2006 arrest for the rape and murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk, 23, that cops became convinced Tobin had killed before. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages Overseen by Det Supt David Swindle, taskforce Operation Anagram was set up. Following the programme's release, retired Swindle said he was convinced the psychopath had claimed more victims. Swindle said: 'I am still in no doubt Tobin killed other women.'
Scotsman
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Murder: A Search for the Truth with David Swindle in Aberdeen
David Swindle, one of the UK's top former detectives and serious crime experts, is coming to Aberdeen on Sunday, September 14, 7.30-9.45pm at The Lemon Tree. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With over 30 years in policing, including his groundbreaking work on the Peter Tobin case and the creation of Operation Anagram, David changed how Britain solves cold cases and tracks serial killers. David returns to the stage with broadcaster and publicist Heather Suttie for Murder: A Search for the Truth. They'll take you behind the scenes of real murder investigations, sharing what really happens when detectives dig for answers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Drawing on decades of experience, David has worked on hundreds of murder cases, cracking major crimes, and supporting families through loss. Known for his no-nonsense style and sharp analysis, he reveals the pressures and breakthroughs that come with hunting killers and fighting for justice. Suttie & Swindle David says: 'I'm looking forward to getting back on stage with Heather, bringing together a detective's insight and an inquisitive publicist's questions. This tour is a rare chance to hear real stories and understand the truth behind the headlines.' This isn't fiction – these are real victims, real cases, and real consequences. David will break down some of the UK's most complex murder investigations, from suspicious deaths overseas to unresolved cases closer to home. He brings clarity, expertise, and a relentless drive to uncover the truth. Heather Suttie joins him to ask the questions you want answered. Together, they'll explore why killers kill – is it nature, nurture, or something darker? Can murderers be spotted before they strike? And is a perfect murder even possible? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
