Key Takeaways
- The Hillsborough disaster investigation, launched in 2012, was the largest ever conducted by the police watchdog, with 200 staff at its peak.
- The investigation team analyzed stacks of police notebooks and VHS cassettes, including original pocket books of police officers who were at the disaster.
- The team used state-of-the-art technical facilities, including facial recognition analysis, to track the movements of Liverpool fans in the crush.
- The investigation provided evidence for the two-year-long Inquests and two sets of criminal proceedings.
- The team had to overcome hurdles, including restoring 1980s tape machines and computers to render VHS cassettes and floppy disks usable.
Introduction to the Investigation
The Hillsborough disaster investigation, launched in 2012, was a massive undertaking that required hundreds of staff and a huge office block in Warrington to house them. The investigation’s first director, Deborah Glass, was aware of the high stakes and the team’s remit to put right the wrongs of the past. The team’s efforts were focused on analyzing evidence and providing a thorough investigation into the disaster. The investigation was the largest ever conducted by the police watchdog, and its findings were crucial in providing evidence for the two-year-long Inquests and two sets of criminal proceedings.
Challenges Faced by the Investigation Team
The investigation team faced several challenges in their efforts to analyze the evidence. One of the main hurdles was the state of the original police notebooks, which had been stored in a lock-up for 25 years. Some of the notebooks had to be cleaned of rat droppings before they could be analyzed. The team also had to contend with boxes of VHS cassettes and floppy disks that contained documentary evidence, but were useless until they could be rendered watchable again. This required the team to bring some 1980s tape machines and computers back to life, a task that was not easy. Despite these challenges, the team persevered and was able to analyze the evidence and provide valuable insights into the disaster.
Use of Technology in the Investigation
The investigation team used state-of-the-art technical facilities, including facial recognition analysis, to track the movements of Liverpool fans in the crush. This technology allowed the team to gain a better understanding of the events that unfolded on the day of the disaster. The use of facial recognition analysis was a key part of the investigation, as it enabled the team to identify individuals and track their movements. This information was crucial in providing evidence for the Inquests and criminal proceedings. The team’s use of modern technology, combined with their efforts to restore older technology, such as the 1980s tape machines and computers, demonstrates the thorough and meticulous approach they took to the investigation.
The Significance of the Investigation
The Hillsborough disaster investigation was a significant undertaking that provided valuable insights into the events of the day. The investigation’s findings were crucial in providing evidence for the two-year-long Inquests and two sets of criminal proceedings. The team’s efforts to analyze the evidence, including the police notebooks and VHS cassettes, were instrumental in providing a thorough understanding of the disaster. The investigation’s use of facial recognition analysis and other technologies demonstrates the importance of using all available tools to investigate such disasters. The investigation’s findings have had a lasting impact on our understanding of the Hillsborough disaster and have helped to bring closure to the families of the victims.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Hillsborough disaster investigation was a massive undertaking that required hundreds of staff and a huge office block in Warrington to house them. The investigation team faced several challenges, including the state of the original police notebooks and the need to restore 1980s tape machines and computers. Despite these challenges, the team persevered and was able to analyze the evidence and provide valuable insights into the disaster. The investigation’s use of facial recognition analysis and other technologies demonstrates the importance of using all available tools to investigate such disasters. The investigation’s findings have had a lasting impact on our understanding of the Hillsborough disaster and have helped to bring closure to the families of the victims.