The Crime
Investigation launched into the murder of Gerald Corrigan at his home in Holyhead, Anglesey, North Wales in 2019.
Operation Blue Fulgent
An investigation into a crossbow shooting and murder in Holyhead, Anglesey, North Wales.
Overview
Operation Blue Fulgent investigated the crossbow shooting and eventual murder of pensioner, Gerald Corrigan, at his home in Holyhead, Anglesey, North Wales in 2019. Analysts from North Wales Police used Chorus to interpret masses of data from call records, seized phones, vehicle sightings and telematics, to identify the offender, Terry Whall, and secure a conviction towards him.
Products Utilised
We are very proud of the Operation Fulgent results, generated in such a short space of time.
Analyst, North Wales Police
Case Timeline
The Offender
39-year-old, Terry Whall, was identified as purchasing a crossbow and accessories prior to the event.
Further information from call data, telematics and residential CCTV footage (believed to be that of Whall’s vehicle en-route to and from the scene at the relevant times) added supporting evidence to his presence at the scene of the crime.
Chorus data and telematics pointed to premeditated intent
Analysts used Chorus to cleanse complex data sets from Vehicle movements (ANPR, telematics) and call data (masts, GPRS) to find a significant connection. Whall performed a reconnaissance of the route he was to take the following evening (when the murder took place).
Call data analysis suggests additional suspect
On the day of the murder, call data shows Whall attempting to call Thomas Barry Williams prior to, and following the crime. Whall ‘coincidentally’ claimed that they were together at the time that the murder took place, but this was later dismissed in court.
Chorus maps the offender’s movements to the minute
Data is processed, mapped and visualised in the Chorus system to answer key investigation questions and reinforces Whall as the prime suspect.
Chorus put the following data into chronological order which accounted for the movements of Terry Whall and his vehicle:
- Telematics data shows Whall’s Land Rover door being opened, engine on, boot opened etc.
- Call data of his mobile phone number shows Terry Whall moving away from his home address and towards the victim’s address at the relevant time.
- Call data of his mobile phone number shows Terry Whall moving away from the victim’s home address and back to his own where he immediately drops his phone and uses a second number.
Using a Chorus export of the data above the analysts were able to produce a storyboard to highlight Whall’s movements, overlaying this with CCTV footage to show him at the victim’s home at the time of the shooting.
The Results
With the help of Chorus, North Wales Police were able to successfully complete the investigation and solve the murder case with the following results:
- All data analysis identifying Whall as the prime suspect was mapped and formatted into an evidential and courtroom ready report. Key analysts from North Wales police who interpreted the data through Chorus presented their evidence in court.
- After a 4-week trial, the Jury found Whall guilty and he was given a life sentence for the murder of Gerald Corrigan.
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