Police investigate 200 possible clues in DNA breakthrough in 1983 taxi driver murder

While investigating the murder of a taxi driver in Aberdeen nearly 41 years ago, police have identified 200 people who may have a genetic link to a DNA profile from the crime scene.

Scottish police said those identified were not suspects, but hoped the DNA breakthrough would help in the hunt for the killer.

The family of 58-year-old George Murdoch, known as Dod, welcomed this as a “big step forward”.

On the evening of 29 September 1983, Mr Murdoch was attacked after telling his control room that he was on his way to Culter.

He turned onto Pitfodels Station Road on the outskirts of Aberdeen, near the Deeside railway line, where he was attacked at around 8.45pm and later died.

A cheese wire was used in the attack.

In a public appeal on the 40th anniversary of the murder in 2023, police said advances in forensic analysis had made it possible to create a DNA profile from the crime scene.

This system has now been further improved and allows officials to search for all persons who are genetically related to the DNA sample (so-called familial DNA).

Officials have searched the national DNA database to identify possible close relatives of the person in the sample.

An initial list of 200 possible genetic matches with the profile from the crime scene was compiled by the Scottish Police and the National Crime Agency.

Officials will now attempt to contact these individuals to establish any family connections.

Detective Inspector James Callander said: “This new DNA data is of huge importance and will help us move one step closer to justice for Mr Murdoch’s family.

“The familial DNA links identified will help us track down individuals who can assist us in our investigation. I want to make it clear that these individuals are not suspects, but we hope they can assist us in our ongoing investigation.

“I would ask everyone to remember the time when George was murdered. If you have any concerns from that time, please do not ignore them and contact us.

“Solving this gruesome crime requires the public's help. I would ask anyone with information to come forward. We want to give George's family some much-needed closure.”

The familial DNA search is based on the principle that DNA is inherited and all members of a family share certain aspects of their DNA.

Children share half of their DNA with their father and half with their mother. The extent to which siblings share their DNA is variable, but they tend to share more DNA than unrelated individuals.

In a statement, Mr Murdoch's family said: “This latest development relating to the family's DNA represents a tremendous step forward and we thank the police for their continued efforts in reaching this stage.”

“This is very encouraging and gives us new hope that we can finally identify the person responsible for Dod's murder.”

No arrests have been made in connection with Mr Murdoch's murder. Police are continuing to appeal for information. Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team is continuing to investigate the case.

Following a public appeal in 2022, investigators are still seeking information to identify a man seen wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt in Wilson's Sports Bar on Market Street, Aberdeen, in 2015.

Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 or by email via the relevant inbox at [email protected].