Gene Morrison
Gene Anthony “Rocky” Morrison (born 1958) was a fraudulent forensic detective who operated over three decades in the Hyde area of Greater Manchester, England, under the title Dr. Gene Morrison.
Memorable for his trademark sheepskin jacket, during the course of his deception, he managed to trick not only members of the public, but also many judges, lawyers and the police themselves, into believing he was a genuine expert in forensic science.[1]
Trial and imprisonment
Appearing in court, he insisted on being referred to as Doctor throughout the entire trial, and the jury were supposedly reduced to laughter on many occasions throughout the proceedings.[2] Morrison pleaded guilty to two charges and was found guilty on 20 of the remaining 23; he was sentenced to five years imprisonment,[1] with police suggesting that Morrison may attempt to revive his forensic services upon release.[2]
A video documentary was made about Morrison. Entitled Crime Scene Conman, it was first shown on BBC1 on 25 March 2008.[3]
Sex offences
On 15 October 2009, Morrison was convicted of thirteen child sex offences (three counts of rape, six counts of indecent assault, four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child) and one count of perverting the course of justice committed between the 1970s and 2007,[4] with 19 other charges taken into consideration.
He was sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment with a minimum of seven-and-a-half years, to be served cumulatively with the five-year sentence. Morrison will be eligible for parole in 2017.
References
- "Fraudulent forensic expert jailed". BBC News. 22 February 2007.
- How to fake a living, by Steve Bradshaw, The Sunday Times, February 3, 2008
- Documentary about the conman who passed himself of as a top forensic scientist. BBC One programmes - Crime Scene Conman
- "Bogus scientist raped young girls". BBC News. 15 October 2009.