New evidence found in tourists’ murder case

BANGKOK: -- Investigation into the brutal murder of two English tourists on Koh Tao Island is progressing with the police said they have found new evidence from CCTV footage of an Asian man wearing the pants of one of the victims.

The police have put out reward of 100,000 baht for information on the Asian man’s whereabout as now he is the most suspected murderer.

The new lead to the murder probe came as a team of investigators compared closed-circuit TV footage taken from the areas, and uncovered incriminating evidence on one particular individual.

Footage from the resort where Mr David Miller was residing showed him wearing a cream colored boxer shorts as he was walking toward the beach.

Comparing that footage to another at allocation nearby which captured the image of an Asian male shows the suspicious individual running pass the CCTV camera (from the direction of the crime scene) wearing the exact same shorts. A blue colored pants that was found by the body of Mr David is now believed to belong to the suspect.

This indicated that he mistakenly grabbed the pants of the victim to wear and left his own at the scene in a hurry as shown in the CCTV showing he ran pass hurriedly.

Police have yet to disclose the details of the case but thus far have put up a 100,000 Baht reward for any information on this suspected Asian male.

Meanwhile forensic police from Bangkok joined local forensic police in Surat Thani to collect DNA samples from more than 20 Myanmar workers both male and female rounded up from the vicinity of the crime scene and also their finger prints.

The DNA samples will then be compared to DNA samples found at the crime scene where M David Miller and Hannah Witheridge were brutally murdered on September 15.

Meanwhile, acting Royal Thai Police Commissioner, Pol. Gen Somyos Phumphanmuang will be travelling to Koh Tao Island tomorrow to personally oversee the investigations.

He said efforts are underway to garner the help of the FBI forensic team which specializes in DNA coding to help in the case.

The head of the Royal Thai Police Office of the Forensic Science Pol Lt-Gen Kamrop Panyakaew said that the database and equipment currently available in the country has no capability to differentiate between different races or ethnicity nor is it capable of identifying skin complexion or the age of DNA samples taken from an individual.

It is for this reason that DNA samples in the case of the murder of the two Britons will be sent to the FBI forensic investigators because they have the necessary experience and are better equipped and possess an extensive database in order to decode the samples.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/new-evidence-found-tourists-murder-case/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-19

Meanwhile forensic police from Bangkok joined local forensic police in Surat Thani to collect DNA samples from more than 20 Myanmar workers both male and female rounded up from the vicinity of the crime scene and also their finger prints.

Why would anyone waste time and money taking DNA samples from any women in a murder rape case ?

As for the trousers being on the killer running off..... well................

Better do this quick. The world is watching!! No BS Thailand!!!

20 myanmar workers rounded up,and they [bib] are looking for an asian man seen in the area.

this is 5days after the murders and they havnt got a clue.

what nationality is there on this island?

" Investigation into the brutal murder of two English tourists on Koh Tao Island is progressing..."

"This indicated that he mistakenly grabbed the pants of the victim to wear and left his own at the scene in a hurry as shown in the CCTV showing he ran pass hurriedly."

In Thailand, if this passes for "progressing"....Bring in the clowns

"It is for this reason that DNA samples in the case of the murder of the two Britons will be sent to the FBI forensic investigators because they have the necessary experience and are better equipped and possess an extensive database in order to decode the samples."

Talking about loss of face and admitting incompetence. This is a major breakthrough in the chase of the killer(s).

Some people, including myself, are wondering why on a small island that has a small population, with access by ferry or rent a boats that can be controlled the police are still floundering about.

Eliminate those under 10 years of age, eliminate those over 60 years of age, get people 11 to 59 to verify where they were at the time of the murder and whoever is in the remainder DNA test.

The pool of suspects should be in the dozens.

"It is for this reason that DNA samples in the case of the murder of the two Britons will be sent to the FBI forensic investigators because they have the necessary experience and are better equipped and possess an extensive database in order to decode the samples."

Talking about loss of face and admitting incompetence. This is a major breakthrough in the chase of the killer(s).

Agreed. Do they mean the US FBI?

I said near the beginning that I wished they'd ask the Brits to rush in some of their best people to help.

Whatever, this would bring transparency to an investigation that has some people wondering, and the Thais aren't competent to handle this.

They need to bring in more police to help collect DNA samples and fingerprints from 20 migrant workers. Surely that is no more than 5 minutes per person? Or perhaps they are doing an island wide sweep of all foreigners?

A real unbelievable farce.

"A blue colored pants that was found by the body of Mr David is now believed to belong to the suspect."

The bloodied pants' size might be an indicator of the owner. DNA testing is also indicated.

Meanwhile forensic police from Bangkok joined local forensic police in Surat Thani to collect DNA samples from more than 20 Myanmar workers both male and female rounded up from the vicinity of the crime scene and also their finger prints.

Why would anyone waste time and money taking DNA samples from any women in a murder rape case ?

As for the trousers being on the killer running off..... well................

agree about the trousers, they would be down around his ankles as he doesn't appear to be holding them up.

Some people, including myself, are wondering why on a small island that has a small population, with access by ferry or rent a boats that can be controlled the police are still floundering about.

Eliminate those under 10 years of age, eliminate those over 60 years of age, get people 11 to 59 to verify where they were at the time of the murder and whoever is in the remainder DNA test.

The pool of suspects should be in the dozens.

When I stayed at Koh Tao, there were hundreds on the island that met your excluded criteria.

"It is for this reason that DNA samples in the case of the murder of the two Britons will be sent to the FBI forensic investigators because they have the necessary experience and are better equipped and possess an extensive database in order to decode the samples."

Talking about loss of face and admitting incompetence. This is a major breakthrough in the chase of the killer(s).

Agreed. Do they mean the US FBI?

I said near the beginning that I wished they'd ask the Brits to rush in some of their best people to help.

Whatever, this would bring transparency to an investigation that has some people wondering, and the Thais aren't competent to handle this.

Either the FBI or the Yard. Both have state of the art DNA equipment and experience I suppose. The brits were unlikely to be asked for help as they criticised Thai police in handling the case. And the US just said there would be no more sanctions concerning the Tier 3 status. So RTP will want to be a good dog to ask the Americans.

"It is for this reason that DNA samples in the case of the murder of the two Britons will be sent to the FBI forensic investigators because they have the necessary experience and are better equipped and possess an extensive database in order to decode the samples."

Talking about loss of face and admitting incompetence. This is a major breakthrough in the chase of the killer(s).

Agreed. Do they mean the US FBI?

I said near the beginning that I wished they'd ask the Brits to rush in some of their best people to help.

Whatever, this would bring transparency to an investigation that has some people wondering, and the Thais aren't competent to handle this.

Either the FBI or the Yard. Both have state of the art DNA equipment and experience I suppose. The brits were unlikely to be asked for help as they criticised Thai police in handling the case. And the US just said there would be no more sanctions concerning the Tier 3 status. So RTP will want to be a good dog to ask the Americans.

I thought it would show more compassion to ask the Brits but it seems like there have been some attempts at face saving rather than show compassion.

Whatever, I think we'd all like to see the FBI or the Yard jump in and solve this if it isn't too late. The Brits families must be pulling their hair out over this.

Edit: Look how much time was apparently wasted focusing on European suspects when the Yard or the FBI could have eliminated a European almost immediately if the killer(s) are Asian.

Meanwhile forensic police from Bangkok joined local forensic police in Surat Thani to collect DNA samples from more than 20 Myanmar workers both male and female rounded up from the vicinity of the crime scene and also their finger prints.

Why would anyone waste time and money taking DNA samples from any women in a murder rape case ?

As for the trousers being on the killer running off..... well................

Coz a woman can be part of the murder too.

Meanwhile forensic police from Bangkok joined local forensic police in Surat Thani to collect DNA samples from more than 20 Myanmar workers both male and female rounded up from the vicinity of the crime scene and also their finger prints.

Why would anyone waste time and money taking DNA samples from any women in a murder rape case ?

As for the trousers being on the killer running off..... well................

Coz a woman can be part of the murder too.

Oh come on stop picking at straws its almost unheard of for women to be involved in a double murder rape.

You ever heard of process of elimination ? well usually you discount the least likely and look at the most likely first and try to narrow that down..... ie male you dont waste your time or funds with females until much later.

You only go and spend time on the least likely much later... id say its highly likely with at least 2 DNA its male and therefore much better to DNA all males, especially those not yet done with local knowledge, ie Thai local males...

Since the island has not been locked down and the perps have almost certainly long since fled, all this DNA stuff is a waste of time.

Until the police can admit that Thai people could have been responsible, this investigation is going no-where.

The first and simplest thing DNA can do is tell the gender of the person.

" Investigation into the brutal murder of two English tourists on Koh Tao Island is progressing..."

"This indicated that he mistakenly grabbed the pants of the victim to wear and left his own at the scene in a hurry as shown in the CCTV showing he ran pass hurriedly."

In Thailand, if this passes for "progressing"....Bring in the clowns

the song also says ' Don't Bother They're here '

Does the negativity towards anything Thai and anything done by Thais never stop on Thaivisa??

Why is it a loss of face, to ask a better equiped policeforce for help?

Thousands of Thais are murdered every year, but because the victims this time are Brits, we expect the world to stop.

Don't misunderstand me, a very horrible crime, but why are white victims considered more valuable, and all stops need to be pulled to solve this particular case?

It just seems more and more like those in charge are totally overwhelmed by this......

Rather than a simple system of regular press meetings they seem to be running to the window every time they get a "new idea" and shouting it out to anyone hanging around. Presumably because they are desperately trying to convince the world they are doing something.

Surely It would be better to appoint one competent press officer only who can speak to the media.... and everyone else could shut up and get on with it.

When the furore has died down maybe the authorities will give some serious thought to how the Thai police are trained - this is a joke and an embarrassment.

Does the negativity towards anything Thai and anything done by Thais never stop on Thaivisa??

Why is it a loss of face, to ask a better equiped policeforce for help?

Thousands of Thais are murdered every year, but because the victims this time are Brits, we expect the world to stop.

Don't misunderstand me, a very horrible crime, but why are white victims considered more valuable, and all stops need to be pulled to solve this particular case?

I think you under estimate the paralysing fear that loss of face can induce in many Thai people especially men in positions of authority. asking for outside help would be the ultimate admission that they can't do the job.

Of course the truth of the matter is that many crimes in Thailand either go unsolved, unpunished or incorrectly finished due to police incompetence or the influence of corruption......but because they are Thai citizens or poor immigrants nothing is done - here the local police have found themselves in the international limelight and are having a really hard time as for the first time ever they actually have to act like police.

Does the negativity towards anything Thai and anything done by Thais never stop on Thaivisa??

Why is it a loss of face, to ask a better equiped policeforce for help?

Thousands of Thais are murdered every year, but because the victims this time are Brits, we expect the world to stop.

Don't misunderstand me, a very horrible crime, but why are white victims considered more valuable, and all stops need to be pulled to solve this particular case?

Agree with the negativity comments.

But there are very good reasons why this case merits more attention than the regular murder of a couple of Somchais in a field over some drug deal. I'm sure you can come up with them if you think about it. The squaddie who would be emperor got it very quickly

Does the negativity towards anything Thai and anything done by Thais never stop on Thaivisa??

Why is it a loss of face, to ask a better equiped policeforce for help?

Thousands of Thais are murdered every year, but because the victims this time are Brits, we expect the world to stop.

Don't misunderstand me, a very horrible crime, but why are white victims considered more valuable, and all stops need to be pulled to solve this particular case?

I'll leave the rest of your quote alone and focus on your last sentence/question . . . that's a simple one to answer . . . it's a high profile murder case involving tourists (that so far they have handled terribly and insensitively as per usual) and (from the looks of things) perpetrators of Asian descent . . . so their concern is the tourist numbers/dollars disappearing . . . simple as that.

This case is pushing a week old and they are just now finding CCTV video. Wouldn'd that be one of the first places you would look?

I give the Thai police credit for asking for help. Outside technology will give them a much better chance to identify suspects properly and correctly and most importantly R/O innocent people....Nothing worse in a serious crime to wrongly convict....

CB

Please send someone responsible with the DNA Samples - I don't want to be reading about how the samples have been lost in transit or some other lame excuse !

If this guy is wearing the victims pants and the British Guy who was detained in connection with this murder has got another pair of pants which are allegedly stained and also belong to the victim - then where are the pants that belong to this guy on CCTV ?

There are apparently 3 x different semen samples that the Police have - but I don't think they have publically declared that they are looking for at least 3 different individuals -have they ?? I have heard announcements that say " we are most likely looking for a gang " - but if they have 3 x semen samples then surely there ought to be a more defining statement than this ?

I think the embassy should be piling on the pressure to allow the top British Detectives to come and review and help out with this case before the attention diverts elsewhere!

Does the negativity towards anything Thai and anything done by Thais never stop on Thaivisa??

Why is it a loss of face, to ask a better equiped policeforce for help?

Thousands of Thais are murdered every year, but because the victims this time are Brits, we expect the world to stop.

Don't misunderstand me, a very horrible crime, but why are white victims considered more valuable, and all stops need to be pulled to solve this particular case?

Um, one reason could be the tens of millions of dollars in tourism money involved. Fine with me if Thais want to kill Thais or Brits want to kill Brits but if I am gonna travel to another country and it ain't safe I might consider NOT going there. Pretty simple answer if you think about it. If you claim to be a safe country to visit but the facts prove otherwise and the cops are so incompetent that they cannot do a professional job of investigating a major crime it does paint a bad picture.

BTW, whatever happened to the rapist of the Dutch girl a year or so back. Anyone know? Or the cab driver who hacked the guy in Bangkok to death over spilled coffee (allegedly)

Yeah let's label him 'Asian' in headlines and cross our fingers desperately hoping he isn't Thai.