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CHALKBOARDTV
Hello,
I hope this message finds you well during these unusual times. I am writing from Chalkboard TV https://www.chalkboardtv.com/ with regard to a television documentary series exploring historic British murder investigations, which we’re currently developing for BBC One.
The concept, called ‘Murder by Numbers’, will look at five cases which had fascinating investigations, and where huge numbers of potential suspects had to be identified and eliminated. We want tell these stories through the numbers and to focus on the painstaking detective work that was involved; the processes of elimination and the whittling down of evidence to find the perpetrator(s).
We aren’t featuring this case but a suitable example of how police narrowed in on a lead that was intimidating in its initial scope, can be found from the Yorkshire Ripper investigation where the police had to follow the £5 note found on Jean Jorden, one of the victims in Manchester. They had to trace this note, one of 5,000 consignments delivered to either the Manningham, Shipley or Bingley bank branches and then from there to the employer who handed out the notes in wages. It didn’t lead to Sutcliffe’s arrest because of the analogue index system but it’s a brilliant line of inquiry.
The aim is to sensitively tell the stories through a combination of archive footage from the time, graphics, and interviews with the investigating officers and experts involved in solving the crimes. The channel is interested in the concept and at this stage of development, we are compiling a shortlist of potential cases for a series.
I’d very much like to hear from officers who worked in the Nottinghamshire area or from friends in other jurisdictions who worked or know of cases that can be told in this way. A case we think would be of special interest is the 2002 – 2003 investigation into the murder of Gladys Godfrey. I’d be very interested in hearing from officers who worked on this investigation.
We want to focus on the importance of thorough investigative work, not simply the ‘eureka moments’ often shown in programmes. I would be keen to speak with officers about the project and wondered if you might kindly spare a few minutes to talk to me on the phone? If so, please let me know which number is best to reach you on and when it would be a convenient time to give you a call.
Conversations are for research purposes within our production team, there’s no obligation to be a part of the programme by speaking with me but this may be of interest down the line.
To give you a bit more information about us, Chalkboard TV is an independent production company specialising in both factual and scripted productions. We produce the award-winning BBC One legal-historical documentary series ‘Murder, Mystery and My Family’, the fourth series of which is due to be broadcast next month. We also produced the recent four-part documentary series ‘Inside Prison: Britain Behind Bars’, which was filmed inside six prisons and aired on ITV last autumn. More information about us can be found on our website here: https://www.chalkboardtv.com/
Thanks for your consideration and I forward to hearing from you.
With best wishes,
Helen
Helen Waddell
Assistant Producer
M: 07969738825
NottsNarpo 