Unit 6C - Criminal Investigation - Cross examination
I am detective inspector …. . I have been investigating the assault and rape of Miss Molly
Brown, on the evening of the 12th of November 2023. Myself, along with detective
inspector…., we interviewed 32 year old Graham Smith.
To begin the interview, I asked my interviewee some basic questions, such as how the
suspect preferred to be addressed, and how old he was. I determined he would prefer to be
addressed with his first name, and he is 32 years old. For the rest of the interview, I
addressed him as Graham.
Following this basic information, I moved on to questioning the suspect about his current
residence, and the length of time he has been in the Wycombe area. Mr Graham Smith
stated he used to live in Beaconsfield, moving to the Wycombe area about 8 months ago. To
understand Mr Smith’s possible whereabouts on the 12th of November 2023, I determined
his use of transport and usual work attire. Mr Smith uses the train to travel to and from work,
often wearing a navy suit with brown shoes and a tie. Mr Smith mentioned that he went into
work on Sunday the 12th of November, although he usually doesn’t work on Sundays.
Therefore, I stated why he was at work, in which he responded he had an important
marketing job.
In order to fully understand the events of the evening, I specify questions regarding the
hours after he finished work. I determined he finished work at 6pm, he travelled home for
dinner to relax for a few hours. Mr Smith mentioned that he recently has started a new
fitness regime, where he runs every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday evening, starting his run
between 9-9:30 pm and returning home around 10-10:15 pm. Following this, I presented Mr
Smith with a map, to identify his usual lap, he drew on the map, circling the Wycombe Rye
area.
As the witnesses from the scene identified the clothing the offender wore and it was
described as possible fitness gear, I asked Mr Smith of his usual running attire. To which he
responded with a tracksuit and t-shirt, bright colours make him feel self conscious, you don’t
see people wearing luminous green jackets. In order to identify any recollection of Miss Molly
Brown, I presented Mr Smith with a photograph of her, taken from Miss Brown’s Facebook
account. Upon questioning if he recognised her, Mr Smith denies recognising her
photograph. I notice Mr Smith had red almost claw-like scratches on the left side of his face,
however, when asked how he received them, he states they were as a result of a low
branch. In relation to the evidence which was collected from the crime scene, Graham
denies any reason as to why his blood and semen was found on Mollys trousers and
underwear.
From information collected from the previous offences, I had prior knowledge that Mr Smith
was convicted of sexual assault, in which he served 4 years in prison and relocated to High
Wycombe after his 2 and ½ year probation ended. After I relayed this information to Mr
Smith, he became defensive and refused to discuss the matter.
