Ep 1. Peter Tobin: Manhunt For A Serial Killer

As the first episode of British Police: Our Toughest Cases, Peter Tobin: Manhunt For A Serial Killer focuses on the story of one of the UK's most notorious killers. The episode delves back into the early 1990s, where three young women went missing in Glasgow within the space of two years. Their disappearances were hauntingly similar, and the police force struggled to find any leads.

But in 2006, 15 years later, Detective Chief Superintendent David Swindle received a tip-off that allowed him to link the three cases together. The evidence pointed towards a man named Peter Tobin, who was already serving a life sentence for the murder of another young woman, Vicky Hamilton. The case papers from Tobin’s previous trials revealed a chilling and manipulative killer with a history of deceiving police officers.

The general approach to the case was to explore forensic evidence that had been collected throughout the investigations, but could never have been identified as a link between the murders. One of these pieces of evidence was a necklace found on one of the victims, which was traced back to a specific type only sold in one particular shop in the Glasgow area. The team delves deep into forensic advancements in the early 1990s and how these technologies may have been able to solve the mystery of the missing girls.

With a team of detectives, forensic specialists, and psychologists, the police begin the incredible task of piecing together Tobin’s movements, from the time he committed the murders to his capture and eventual conviction. As they gather evidence against him, they gradually build a picture of a depraved man capable of true evil.

The episode not only gives insight into the investigation itself but also into the families and communities affected by these crimes. The heart-wrenching story of the family of one of the girls, who continued searching for their daughter years after she disappeared, touches upon the tragic fallout of Tobin’s murderous spree.

As the detectives work tirelessly to put the evidence together and connect the dots between the various murders, the sense of tension builds. Through interviews with detectives who worked the case, relatives of the victims, and people who had known Tobin throughout his life, the episode brings the audience into the heart of the story.

This first episode of British Police: Our Toughest Cases is a gripping and thought-provoking look at one of the country’s most notorious killers. Through the eyes of the police force who worked so tirelessly to bring him to justice, we gain an intimate understanding of the complexity of such investigations, and the personal toll they can take on those involved. This episode is a must-watch for true crime fans and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the darkest aspects of human nature.