“Murder Investigation Team” (2003 – 2005) 

Television

Twelve Episodes

Created by: Paul Marquess

Featuring: Samantha Spiro, Lindsey Coulson, Diane Parish and Michael McKell

DC Rosie MacManus: [Looking at a picture of the victim’s daughter] “Poor cow! She’s got no one now! DI Vivien Friend: She’ll get used to it.”

Released recently on DVD is the drama “Murder Investigation Team” (2003 – 2005) which was a spinoff of “The Bill” (1984-2010) the police procedural series, like that show “Murder Investigation Team” was filmed in the London Boroughs of Sutton, Merton and Greenwich. Locations included the former Woolwich campus of the University of Greenwich. This series was filmed with the working title Think Murder, and was produced by Tom Cotter. The first episode featured the team investigating the death of one of “The Bill” most popular characters, Sgt. Matthew Boyden, who was killed in a drive-by shooting. Several members of “The Bill” cast also appeared in the episode.

Murder Investigation Team (MIT) was a British police procedural drama television series that aired on ITV from 2003 to 2005. The show revolves around the work of a Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) unit tasked with solving complex murder cases. The series is notable for its focus on the investigative process and the attention to detail given to the forensic evidence in each case. The show also explores the personal lives of the detectives and the impact that their work has on them.

The main character of the series is Detective Inspector Kate Ashurst, played by actress Samantha Spiro. She leads the MIT team, which includes a number of other detectives and forensic specialists. Each episode focuses on a new murder case, and the team works tirelessly to gather evidence, interview suspects and witnesses, and ultimately solve the crime.

One of the strengths of the series is its realism. The cases portrayed on the show are based on real-life murder investigations, and the procedures and techniques used by the detectives and forensic specialists are accurate and detailed. The show also highlights the challenges faced by the detectives as they work to solve each case, such as pressure from the media, the emotional toll of dealing with violent crimes, and the difficulties of balancing work and personal life.

Another notable aspect of the series is its diverse cast of characters. The team includes both male and female detectives, as well as specialists from different backgrounds and cultures. This diversity allows the show to explore different perspectives and approaches to solving crimes.

An aspect of the show that adds to its realism is the use of actual locations around London. The detectives and forensic specialists can be seen investigating crime scenes in busy city streets, parks, and housing estates, which adds to the authenticity of the show. The production design and cinematography also contribute to the overall gritty and realistic tone of the series.

In addition to the murder investigations, the show also explores the personal lives of the characters. Kate Ashurst, in particular, is a complex and compelling character whose dedication to her work often comes at the expense of her personal life. Her struggles to balance her work and family responsibilities add depth to her character and make her more relatable to the audience. The show also explores the relationships between the different members of the team. The detectives and forensic specialists work closely together and form a tight-knit community, but they also have their disagreements and conflicts. This adds to the overall realism of the show and shows that even in high-pressure situations, people are still people and can have differing opinions.

One of the criticisms of the show is that it can be quite graphic in its depiction of violence and crime scenes. Some viewers may find this aspect of the show disturbing or gratuitous. However, it can also be argued that this realism is necessary to fully convey the severity of the crimes being investigated.

Murder Investigation Team is a well-crafted police procedural drama that offers a realistic and detailed portrayal of the investigative process. The attention to detail and focus on forensic evidence sets it apart from other crime dramas, and the diverse cast of characters adds depth and complexity to the storytelling. While some viewers may find the graphic depiction of violence disturbing, it can also be argued that this realism is necessary to fully convey the severity of the crimes being investigated. Overall, Murder Investigation Team is a must-watch for fans of police procedurals and true crime.

Another interesting aspect of the show is the use of technology in the investigation process. The detectives and forensic specialists make use of cutting-edge technology such as DNA analysis, digital forensics, and facial recognition software to help solve crimes. This adds a modern and technological dimension to the show and reflects the evolving nature of police work.

The show also touches upon the role of the media in high-profile murder investigations. The detectives are often under immense pressure to solve cases quickly, especially when the media is involved. The media scrutiny can sometimes help to bring attention to a case and generate leads, but it can also hinder the investigation process and lead to public misinformation.

The show’s writing and direction are top-notch, and the performances by the cast are excellent. Samantha Spiro’s portrayal of Kate Ashurst is particularly noteworthy, as she brings depth and nuance to the character. The show’s emphasis on character development allows the audience to become emotionally invested in the characters, which adds to the tension and drama of each episode.

Murder Investigation Team is a well-crafted police procedural drama that offers a realistic and detailed portrayal of the investigative process. The attention to detail and focus on forensic evidence sets it apart from other crime dramas, and the diverse cast of characters adds depth and complexity to the storytelling. While some viewers may find the graphic depiction of violence disturbing, it can also be argued that this realism is necessary to fully convey the severity of the crimes being investigated. Overall, Murder Investigation Team is a must-watch for fans of police procedurals and true crime.

Overall, Murder Investigation Team is a gripping and intense police procedural drama that offers a realistic and detailed portrayal of the investigative process. The show’s focus on forensic evidence, attention to detail, and use of technology make it stand out from other crime dramas, while its diverse cast of characters and exploration of their personal lives add depth and complexity to the storytelling. The show is not for the faint of heart, as it can be quite graphic and disturbing at times, but for fans of police procedurals and true crime, it is a must-watch.

Episodes

Season One

Moving Targets: When a uniformed sergeant and a criminal are gunned down in a drive-by, the team first has to find which was the intended victim in order to find the killer.

Daddy’s Little Girl: When a three year old building is demolished the perfectly preserved body of a nineteen year old cancer survivor is found with a crushed skull.

Rubbish: DI Friend and the team investigate the murder of a young boy who is found in collected refuse. The autopsy reveals that the boy had his heart cut out. Although no children have been reported missing, they manage to trace the victims parents who are from West Africa and have sought sanctuary in a church to avoid deportation. They thought their children were in the care of a nanny selected by their pastor, but it seems they had run away. The focus of the investigation quickly shifts to finding the victims younger brother.

Reading, Writing and Gangbanging: The team investigates two inter-related deaths. In the first a teacher, Martin Ramsay, either jumped or was pushed out of the upstairs window of his house. In the second, a tramp is found floating in the river with his head bashed in. From the evidence and the time line, it appears that the tramp may have come across Ramsay’s body, helping himself to his shoes and his wallet, but it is unlikely he had anything to do with his death. Suspects in Ramsey’s death include his wife, who was divorcing him; a fellow teacher, Kirsten Hughes who was ending her relationship with …

Red Heads: The MIT investigates the murder of Penny Wake who is found by the river. Forensic evidence shows that the woman was strangled and had been dead for several days and that the body had been moved. The killer also went to great lengths to clean the body before disposing of it. They immediately focus on the woman’s husband Neil Wake, who says he has been away from home for a week or so on business but it turns out, was actually on leave having spent a few days with his girlfriend. The investigation takes a different turn when a second abduction victim, Kathy Monroe, is …

Lambs to the Slaughter: The team investigates the murder of Dominic Morton a pedophile who was recently released from prison. He’s found in his home stabbed and emasculated the result, the police believe, of vigilantes. When they identify calls made from Morton to a Peter Taylor they also find that both men look exactly the same. The puzzle becomes a mystery when they are unable to locate Morton’s victims or any probation records for him. When they learn he was an undercover police officer trying to infiltrate a pedophile ring, the police start looking for a rent boy he was trying to get …

Models and Millionaires: The squad investigates the murder of Natasha McKay, found dead on the banks of the Thames. She was severely beaten but actually drowned. Natasha was an attractive woman who modeled in the soft porn industry and had frequently been a page 3 girl. Her wealthy property developer husband has a cast-iron alibi for the time she disappeared but DC Rosie MacManus has her own reasons for pursuing him, which causes DI Friend to question her judgment. The investigation focuses on Simon Crookshank, a friend from her schooldays as the police conclude they were having an affair.

The Bigger the Lie: The vicious murder of an investigate journalist exploring an old hate crime takes place in the same Bangladeshi neighbourhood.

Season Two

Episode 1: With DI Trevor Hands now in charge, the team investigates the stabbing of Ed Vilarin who collapses on the street, stabbed with an ice pick. There are several lines of enquiry. The police suspect that the he may have been involved in selling stolen mobile phones. He may also have been killed as part of a game of phone tag. Also, the victim had only recently reconciled with his estranged father who needed a kidney transplant. The use of a stolen credit card leads them to the killer. The team welcomes a new DC, Eva Sharpe who works on the case and proves to be a top …

Episode 2: The team investigates the death of Gerrard Anderson, a doctor at a local hospital who either jumped or fell off the hospital roof, crashing through a skylight on to the floor of the hospital canteen. Anderson was well liked by almost all of the hospital staff but one doctor in particular, Stewart Masters, doesn’t have much good to say about him. The police believe that Anderson may have stumbled on to a drug dealer in the hospital but the case takes a different turn when they learn that he was investigating the case of a young woman who died after routine surgery.

Episode 3: The team investigates the death of Sean Reynolds who is found dead at the wheel of his car. Reynolds was a professional footballer and the autopsy reveals that he died from a severe blow to the back of the head. His wife confirms that her husband had been receiving hate mail and threatening phone calls. As he was about to leave his football club as a free agent, it was put down to irate fans. The investigation leads them to a particularly rabid fan, Jason Phelps, but his information leads them right back to a more likely suspect.

Episode 4: The team has a sexual predator on their hands when a dead woman is found gagged and strangled in her flat. The woman was a crimes scene examiner and well known to them. There are several obvious suspects including an ex-boyfriend. The case takes a particular twist when a second woman is killed. There are many similarities with the first murder, but there are a sufficient number of discrepancies to convince them they have a copycat killer on their hands. The problem is that both physical and cctv evidence points to DI Trevor Hands as being the most likely suspect.