Crewe Review - Appendix 9: ‘A Multivariate Approach to Discriminating Between Batches of Cartridge Cases Using Design Changes in the Headstamp’

Appendix 9 of the Crewe Review is a thesis written by Christopher Price to fulfil the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Forensic Science. The thesis references the investigation into the deaths of Harvey and Jeannette Crewe.

Introduction to the Thesis
During the prosecution of Mr Arthur Allan Thomas for the Crewe murders (1970), an important element of the judicial proceedings involved a consideration of the link between the fatal bullets recovered from the victims and a cartridge case which was recovered from the crime scene.

In order to determine the production period for the questioned cartridge case, an analysis was conducted of the design features of the headstamp. There was considerable debate about how the statistical analysis should be performed and further debate on the findings from various analyses.

However, the general conclusion suggested that no link could be provided between the fatal bullets and the crime scene cartridge case. For this project it was proposed to further investigate the design features of the headstamp in order to determine whether or not it was possible to define a more specific time period of manufacture.