Secrets Of Scotland Yard xx-xx-xx xxx Bone from a Voice Box

Summary

Podcast Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Secrets Of Scotland Yard - Bone from a Voice Box
Release Date: August 3, 2025

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Introduction: The Black Museum at Scotland Yard

The episode opens with Sam, the narrator, guiding listeners into the enigmatic Black Museum at Scotland Yard. This room serves as a repository for various murder exhibits, each item a silent witness to gruesome crimes from the Golden Age of Radio.

Sam [00:00]: "The Black Museum... holds a series of murder exhibits. Not always frightening in themselves, but terrifying when considered in their relation to their history."

Discovery of the Body During the London Blitz

The narrative shifts to July 1942, amidst the chaos of the London Blitz. A gang of demolition workers uncovers the remains of a woman in the cellar of a bomb-damaged Baptist chapel. The remains, though incomplete and burnt, present critical forensic clues.

Mike [02:54]: "What's that, Bill? ... Look, there's a skull."

Forensic Examination and Initial Suspicions

Doctor Mike conducts a thorough examination at Guy's Hospital, identifying a fractured bone from the woman's voice box—a subtle yet significant sign of possible strangulation. Superintendent Rawlings of Scotland Yard receives the initial report, marking the beginning of a complex investigation.

Mike [04:15]: "It's an apparently trivial little fracture, but it's one of the most significant in forensic medicine."

Identifying the Victim: Mrs. Dobkin

The investigation delves into identifying the victim, leading to Mrs. Dobkin, a woman reported missing over a year prior. Despite matching basic physical attributes, the lack of distinctive features complicates the identification process. Clues such as a handbag found in Guildford, containing an identity card and ration book, suggest foul play rather than an ordinary disappearance.

Sam [07:18]: "Perhaps it was just a quick visit on the return ticket. If so, why wasn't the return half also in the lost handbag?"

Suspicions Point to Mr. Dobkin

Attention turns to Mrs. Dobkin's husband, Mr. Dobkin, a fire watcher involved in a suspicious fire at the chapel. His peculiar behavior, including delayed maintenance payments after his wife's disappearance and his failure to report the fire adequately, raises red flags. A written statement from Mr. Dobkin further incriminates him, aligning the dental records with the remains found.

Sam [09:42]: "A woman goes missing, her husband is a fire watcher... Well, to the lay mind that seems to fairly conclusive evidence at least."

Operation Net: The Pursuit Intensifies

Believing they have identified the murderer, Scotland Yard initiates Operation Net—an extensive patrol and cordon strategy targeting the Piccadilly Circus area where Mr. Dobkin is suspected to be hiding. The operation involves stringent identity checks and coordinated patrols to corner Mr. Dobkin.

Sam [16:17]: "Operation NEP patrols assigned to Sea Division area should move into position one minute from now."

The Narrow Escape and Ongoing Chase

As the police cordon tightens, Mr. Dobkin attempts to flee through the underground railway system. His escape highlights both his desperation and Scotland Yard's relentless pursuit. Despite almost being caught by a detective arriving moments too late, Mr. Dobkin remains at large, setting the stage for continued tension.

Sam [22:11]: "Mr. Dunkin's chances were getting smaller."

Conclusion: A Cliffhanger in the Chase

The episode concludes with Mr. Dobkin evading capture, leaving listeners on a suspenseful note. The meticulous investigation by Scotland Yard, combined with Mr. Dobkin's cunning escape, underscores the relentless nature of law enforcement during turbulent times.

Sam [24:16]: "Harry, you know you've killed your old woman. What have you done with him, buddy?"

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Forensic Advances: The episode highlights the meticulous forensic techniques of the era, such as bone analysis and dental record matching, showcasing early detective work's precision.

• Psychological Profiling: Scotland Yard's profiling of Mr. Dobkin emphasizes understanding the suspect's behavioral patterns and psychological state.

• Operational Strategies: Operation Net illustrates the strategic approaches law enforcement employs in high-stakes manhunts, emphasizing coordination and thoroughness.

Notable Quotes

1. On the Significance of Forensic Evidence:

   Mike [04:15]: "It's an apparently trivial little fracture, but it's one of the most significant in forensic medicine."

2. On the Complexity of Identification:

   Sam [05:27]: "A woman whose description could match thousands of others... we've got a long way to go."

3. On Mr. Dobkin's Desperation:

   Bill [14:32]: "I wonder if they're looking for me yet."

4. On Scotland Yard's Determination:

   Sam [16:17]: "Cordon up the Piccadilly Circus area... one of the biggest roundups we've attempted."

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This summary encapsulates the intricate murder investigation portrayed in the episode, emphasizing the blend of forensic science, detective work, and narrative suspense that defines Harold's Old Time Radio.

Transcript

[Sam]

Sam. How do you do? This week I'm taking you to the Black Museum at Scotland Yard. The Black Museum. And it's the name for a room which holds a series of murder exhibits. Not always frightening in themselves, but terrifying when considered in their relation to their history. Now, what have we here? A human finger preserved in alcohol. A blood stained matchstick. A piece of carbon paper, A weight ticket, a can opener. Each a piece of evidence in a horrifying crime. Over there now, to the left, in the place reserved for the newest exhibit, is a piece of paper. Reposing on it is a small bit of bone. I'm not an anatomist, but I know that that small bone was once part of a human voice box. Just a little piece of bone. You could break it with two fingers, but it was strong enough to hang a man. Our story begins during the London Blitz, 1941. Bombs falling, buildings burning, the city, near chaos. Now, supposing you murdered somebody during the Blitz on London. A woman. And supposing you'd buried the body in the cellar of a Blitz building under a lost debris and then you'd laid a trail which showed that the woman, like thousands of others at the time, had left London. And this was all accepted. Supposing a year passed and then more than a year and everything was forgotten. You'd be feeling pretty safe, wouldn't you? And supposing you knew that you'd put lime with the body and that by now it was only a heap of bones under a lot of rubbish in a bombed building with no means of identification, you'd begin to think that things were, so to speak, all clear, wouldn't you? Or would you? It is July 1942. The list is over. A gang of demolition workers are clearing rubble away in the cellar of a damaged Baptist sculpt.

[Bill]

Sure.

[Mike]

What's that, Bill? What? That? Looks like a skeleton. No, I say it can't. Look, there's a skull. There ain't much of it. Much have happened when the bombshell. Here, you better tell the folk, Mike.

[Bill]

Mo.

[Mike]

Mo, come down here for a minute.

[Sam]

And that's how it began. Now, for research purposes, every bomb victim was subjected to a careful medical examination. The cause of each death had to be determined just to make sure they were all accountable to Adolf Hitler. And of course, medical facts are frequently a means of establishing identity. Where there's been left scot, the pathologists examined the remains and reported to the coroner.

[Mike]

There isn't much to go on. It's the remains of a woman, of course, and there's been some burning. Considering the place of burial of fella was fairly dry earth, I'd say she must have died about a year or 18 months ago. That would be during the air raid, yes. With your permission, I'll have the remains moved to a hospital laboratory. Maybe my equipment will bring the facts to life. Very well, Doctor.

[Sam]

The incomplete remains were removed to the Department of Forensic Medicine at Guy's Hospital, where a detailed examination showed that a tiny bone in what was left of the larynx had been fractured. Just a tiny bone. The pathologist made his first report to Superintendent Rawlings of the Big Five of Scotland Yard. Let's listen as Rawlings did to that report. For we are Rawlings, you and I, inside the brains of Scotland Yard.

[Mike]

It's an apparently trivial little fracture, but it's one of the most significant in forensic medicine. All I can say at the moment is this woman may have met her death in a raid or she may have met her death by strangulation. Manual strangulation. I favor the latter view. Is there any evidence of identity, Doc? Anything we can start work on? There are a few details I can give you now. It's the body of a woman aged between 40 and 50. Height 5ft or 5ft 1 inch. The lower jaw's missing, but in the upper jaw she's one of dental plate. There's no trace of it, but it probably contains seven false teeth. Four remaining teeth have fillings. Oh, and one last point on the back of the skull. I also found adhering to it a few strands of hair. I'd say her hair was dark brown, going gray. Sorry, I can't be more helpful at the moment. Really. Tell me. They go on, Doc. A woman aged between 40 and 50, about 5ft tall, growing gray somewhere in.

[Sam]

London with its thousands of evacuees, its shifting population, its blitz victims. One woman had to be identified. A woman whose description could thousands of others. A woman who had gone missing. Check the missing person's register.

[Mike]

There's several in the registry like that, sir. You let me see. Yes, yes, yes. This looks like it might fit H47. Height 5ft 1 inch. Hair dark brown, growing gray brown. Reported missing Good Friday 1941. @ 15 months ago. Reported missing by her sister. That description fits her. Yes, in a thousand other people, you see, age, height and color of hair aren't enough. For instance, did this woman have a dental plate? And the upper plate with seven teeth in it, Is she still missing? Is she still alive? I think this is the sister, sir. The woman is still missing. She went missing on Good Friday as reported and hasn't been shown at scene or heard of sink. Her sister says she had a dental platelet, an upper flank with seven teeth. She didn't tell how many felt who was a dentist. She moved around a bit. First, the address of the three dentists. I'll see the dentist and ask if they could identify the fillings in our teeth. Yes, sir. It looks as though the case is warming up, sir. No, not yet. Height? Age. A very rough guess of the age and the color of the hair. That's all we've got, really. We don't even know what our woman looks like. We've got a long way to go.

[Sam]

A very long way. Yes, there was a long way to go. But all over London, detectives were drumming for information. All over Britain, other missing women were being traced. A photograph was obtained. Then came another clue. It wasn't important, but it was interesting. A sort of storybook clue that detectives keep them on their toes.

[Mike]

This woman on the missing person's register, sir. Mrs. Dobkin, you mean? Yes, sir. A few days after she went missing, bag was found in the post office at Guilford. Guilford? Was it ever claimed. Notice what was in it? I have a report on it, sir. It contained a writing book, identity card, two return halls for local London travel, nothing for a journey to Guildford.

[Sam]

Her ration book and identity card. She couldn't have gone a day without them in wartime England, yet they'd been unchained for 15 months. That could mean that she had no need of them anymore. Which would also mean that she was dead. Of course, she could have taken a single ticket. Ever. If so, you could reason that she was going to stay there for a while. But if she was going to stay there for a while, why didn't she search for her lost handbags? She still hadn't needed them. The ration book and the identity card. Perhaps it was just a quick visit on the return ticket. If so, why wasn't the return half also in the lost handbag? She kept other return halves there. Or did someone else take that handbag to Guilford? The plant is there to give the impression that she'd move to that district. Let's suppose that Mrs. Dobkin is the same woman that we are trying to identify and that at this time she was dead in a bombed chapel in London. How did her handbag get to Guilford? Who took it there and why? If someone took that handbag to Gilford after she was dead, then the doctor's supposition Is right. He was not an air raid victim. She was murdered. But is it the same woman? It's this kind of teasing unanswered clue that keeps detectives hot on the trail. Inquiring, questioning, interviewing. The people who lived around the bombed chapel were asked to perform that difficult feat of thinking back 15 months.

[Bill]

Yes, I think I remember we had a fire under the chapel about that time. They call the nsa.

[Mike]

Yes, we attended that fire. There's a report in the incident book. A fire watcher said he saw some smoke coming from a floorboard from the little school next to the chapel.

[Sam]

He said he threw some water on.

[Mike]

It but it got out of hand. Just a firewatcher calling?

[Sam]

No, it was a police call. The fire had been burning about two.

[Mike]

Hours before we were sold.

[Bill]

Did the fire Rocher fell.

[Mike]

While he failed to report it, he.

[Sam]

Made no explanation to me. I see.

[Mike]

I installed. I inspected the cellar after the fire and I felt that the fire had been caused by someone on the premises. There was no raid that night and there was never anything in falamworld left in the cellar yet that night. A straw laptop was there, torn open and part of it had been set alight. I questioned the fire watcher but he was still. His face.

[Bill]

He annoyed me.

[Mike]

I made a note of it in. My darling, why don't you ask the bloke what used to fire watch over there next door to the chapel? He can tell you about it. He was a blood browning garden Dobkin.

[Sam]

He was a bloke named Dobkin. The same name as a woman whose handbag was found at Guilford. He was her husband. A woman goes missing, her husband is a fire watcher. A woman's body is found buried in a bomb damaged cellar next to a washing post. The body is partly burnt. He's implicated in the fire at that same spot. Well, to the lay mind that seems to fairly conclusive evidence at least. It's very suspicious. But the dead woman has not been identified as his wife. In fact the remains are almost unidentifiable. Vaguely like his wife yet. But supposing his wife is still alive. Of course he was questioned.

[Mike]

Yes, that's right sir.

[Bill]

I remember that.

[Mike]

Good Friday. That's the last time I saw it. You've been living apart and she tried.

[Bill]

To make up for me.

[Mike]

I wasn't going back to it though.

[Bill]

Couldn't stand it.

[Mike]

We had tea together in Dawson, talked it over and then she got in the bus going towards Shoreditch and that's.

[Sam]

The last I saw of her.

[Mike]

He Made a written statement, sir. Shall I read it? Yes, go on. It reads, Divisional Inspector, Dear sir, in respect of what you say that my wife has been found dead or murdered. Who said to these wives have been found murdered? No one, sir. He wrote that himself. I see. Well, let's have another talk with the medical boys and get that scented. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening, doctor.

[Bill]

Good evening.

[Mike]

You want to see me? Yes. By the way, think of that sketch of the upper jaw. It's identical to the upper jaw of the dead width. Do you think you could identify your. Yes, but it on the table. I recognized it the moment I came into the bathroom. You no doubt?

[Sam]

None at all.

[Mike]

And those are my feelings. Indeed, I'd recognize my own work anywhere. That is the jaw and these are the teeth of the patient you knew as Mrs. Dobkin. Positively. And do you recognize this? Yes. That is a photograph of my patient, Mrs. Dobson.

[Bill]

Yes.

[Mike]

The missing woman and the dead woman of the same person.

[Sam]

Some final questions had to be gone over. Why had the missing woman been found dead near her husband's fire washing post? Had he induced her to go? She'd never been there. Why was there a fire in the cemetery? Fire in which the husband was involved? Why had he, a fire watcher, failed to raise the alarm? Was it because he started the fire to burn the body? Why does he deny knowledge of the cellar when he had been seen going there? Why did he return to his old fire watching post? And why did he deny he'd ever gone back? Is the answer to every question the same? That he'd murdered his wife?

[Mike]

Yes. I think Mr. Duncan had better be brought in.

[Sam]

So far the work of Scotland Yard had been to identify and prove in their own mind that they knew the murderer. Their next job was to find him, for Mr. Dobkin had disappeared. As you've learned, Scotland Yard first identified the murderer. In their own minds there remain no shadow of doubt that Dobkin was a guilty man. But as is so often the case with the Yard, in making sure that the man was guilty before taking him to into custody, they'd given him an opportunity of realizing that the priests were after him. Within half an hour, rolling, giving orders for Dobkin's arrest. The first report came in.

[Mike]

Dobkin left the lodging house where he was staying two days ago without giving an address. They've no information on him at the fraud office. And he just didn't turn about the factory where he was working. Any relatives? None at Clapham. She told us a funny thing. Dobkin Was always in court for failing to pay his wife for a maintenance money. In fact, he went to jail for it once. But directly she disappeared. He became very regular in his payment.

[Sam]

Something else for Mr. Dodkin to explain. The police. Look at his dust here. Age 49, born in Chapel. Spent all his life in London. If Mr. Dodkin ran Pluto firm, he'd be found somewhere in London. The Dragnet went out. Mr. Dupkin was cruel to Hunt. He's sitting drinking a cup of coffee in a little Italian restaurant at the back of Piccadilly circus. He's thinking. Mr. Dobkin's mentality is limited, but in its bright, furtive way it's sizing up the problems and planning for the future.

[Bill]

I wonder if they're looking for me yet.

[Sam]

I suspect they are.

[Mike]

They are the ropes around me and Ari.

[Bill]

Wonder if they got a picture of me. Suppose I better do something about changing the appearance. Things are doing films. Start wearing a cap or something. I know I've got a shave and take me mustache off. That'll make a difference. That'll fool them. I better get out of this place. Too many cops around. You never know when one of them might stop you suddenly. They might come up behind you and.

[Mike]

Say, this chair taken?

[Bill]

Oh, no. Come through. Comfortable? You don't mind the policeman's sitting here, do you, sir?

[Mike]

Oh, no, no, that's all right.

[Bill]

Mustn't get nervous. They won't recognize me anyway. I've got that other identity card. It's worth a couple of quid too. Left it out of me wallet.

[Sam]

Be awful if I lost that.

[Bill]

It's all right as long as you've got money. 50 quid will last me a bit. By the time that's gone, maybe it'll be safe to get a job. Then I'll have to get a ration booking. Watch your uncle. Take it slowly. That's the idea. Just lie low for the moment. Don't try to do anything silly. Keep out of people's way. Keep your mouth shut. Keep moving.

[Sam]

Be careful.

[Bill]

Just one slip.

[Mike]

Perhaps you'd care to glance at the paper. There's rather an interesting murder case.

[Sam]

Most ingenious.

[Bill]

Have reason to suspect Warren has been received. Charles Dobkins. An arrest is anticipated during the next few hours.

[Sam]

Saturday, when it's engaged in tracking down a particularly important lawbreaker, is known as Operation Net. The code word titles the system of suddenly throwing a police mess around the area in which they believe their man to be hiding and asking every person within a narrowing circle to produce proof of identification. In this case, Superintendent Rawlings was pretty sure that his man was within a square mile of Piccadilly Circus. Though it was late that night this radio message went out from the information room at Scotland yard. Radio operator MG2W calling all cars. MG2W calling all cars. Operation NEP patrols assigned to Sea Division area should move into position one minute from now. Over in the operations room, Superintendent Rawlings was giving panel instructions to the footpeak.

[Mike]

That evening we proposed to cordon up the Piccadilly Circus area In accordance with this plan. Motor car patrols are already in position of Piccadilly in Albert Miles street and so on right the way round. Your zero hour is half past ten. At that time cordons will be thrown across here, here, here and so on. I don't mind telling you I've more than the suspicion that we would pick up our man Dobkin this evening. But the capture of Dobkin isn't the only purpose of this operation. We've had a few identity card checkups, but this I think is one of the biggest roundups we've attempted. Though incidentally, the military police have all received parallel instructions. Will be working with you in the normal manner. Right then. Good luck. Until 10:30.

[Sam]

Motor Carpet Cordons. One of the biggest rounds ups Cotton Yard has ever attempted. It's a good thing for Mr. Dobkin's already overstrained peace of mind that he doesn't realize what the odds are against him. He'd be wishing he was the invisible man the other hour. 10:30pm.

[Mike]

Now slowly does it. One of it. All right. You first. Miss. May I see your identity card?

[Bill]

Yes, you are.

[Mike]

Been doing anybody in lately?

[Bill]

But not me.

[Mike]

Okay, pass along. Charger. Here you are. Ah, war reserve constable. Why the heck aren't you on duty tonight?

[Sam]

Good mummy other.

[Mike]

I'll go have one evening off. You know. That's what they all say, chum. Righto, pass along, can't you? There you are. Constable John Rankin. Hey, wait a minute. I recognize you. You're the man here. Get out of my way. Hey, hey, wait a minute, chum. Here you are. You've looked at behind. What's happened then?

[Sam]

I don't know.

[Mike]

I was only going to tell him I'd seen him earlier today.

[Sam]

There's something up with him.

[Bill]

Identity card at once.

[Mike]

He's going to need that later.

[Bill]

What do you mean?

[Mike]

Well, Mrs. Posted the wrong way this time. He's the wrong side of the police. He left this identity card in my end. John Rankin? Yes. It's a Portry all right, is it one of the cards which were pinched about four weeks ago? He picked up several of them. They were all blanks when they were stolen. Wait a minute. Are we a specimen of Dunkin's writing? Yes, I have several specimen signatures. All his papers are in this tribe. Let's have a look at madam. See you, Arthur. Very careless of Mr. Rankin, you know, Sergeant. He signed his name just like Mr. Bobkin. Quite a coincidence.

[Sam]

And so the night's work went on. Slowly the crowds within the police cordon diminished. Fewer and fewer people were left with that covered Piccadilly Circus. And as the crowds became less, the police became all the more careful. Mr. Dobkin's chances were getting smaller.

[Bill]

I can get rattled. Hundred of people. I've got to wait in chance, that's all. They can't keep on chipping all night. You have to pack up sooner or later. Then he's all right. All I have to do is wait.

[Mike]

All right.

[Bill]

There.

[Mike]

Pass along. Next one, please. Identity card. Thank you. I think he would start moving his cordon there at the beginning of his circle. Take them in gradually all the way around. Then when we're close enough, we'll do a sweep. Right. Make way there up front.

[Sam]

Mr. Dunkin had been a trifle optimistic. The police may be slow, but they are thorough. Slowly down Piccadilly, down Regent street, all the other respecting. And finally meeting at Piccadilly Circus. The police cordon started to roll. They were slowly, inexorably turned, closing in. There was one possible way out. Mr. Duncan decided to take a chance.

[Bill]

But you.

[Mike]

A good old underground railway.

[Bill]

Why did not think of that before? They'll be walking it, of course, but if I make a run for it, well, they'll have to be pretty slippy.

[Mike]

Thank you, sir. Thanks for. Please. I've it just here.

[Bill]

It's somewhere in the cloak.

[Sam]

All right.

[Mike]

We'll stand on one side. Let's have the next one.

[Bill]

You are.

[Mike]

Thank you. Here you come back. Hi.

[Bill]

Hi.

[Sam]

Mr. Dobkin rushes down the passageway rather like a rabbit scudding through sorrow in the bowels of the earth. That's not a bad simile for particularly Circus Underground Station. The largest subway station in the world is rather like a rabbit. 14 converging lines meeting deep below here. Dobkin pushes his way through the cottage hall, buys his ticket, takes his place on the escalator going down towards the Waterloo line. He doesn't know it, but 20 yards behind him, fighting his way through the crowd trying to keep up with him. Is the one person in the world Mr. Dobkin doesn't want to meet a gentleman from Scotland Yard.

[Bill]

That fooled him. Mr. Bart let me know. Lost someone coming through West End. Though it's a quiet suburban life for me from now on.

[Mike]

Follow blue light for Waterloo, eh? Gun.

[Sam]

Second sense seems to have warned do that something was wrong. As the crowd in out in the passageway leading to the platform, you begin to run. You reach the platform as the train arrived. It was almost the last southbound train of the night and there was a crowd around the doorway. Mr. Do pushed and shoved and with a final he he was in.

[Mike]

Bye, girl.

[Sam]

Just as the train put up the station, the detective arrived a few seconds too late. But as you'll see, Scotland Yard is not without its resources in an emergency.

[Mike]

Girl and cross. All train.

[Bill]

What do you mean all things?

[Mike]

Hello, everybody. All train. But this train goes on to Waterloo. I know what it is. The train goes under the Thames and they've closed the floodgates. Four of the children has now run on just in case a bomb hits the tunnel under the river. That's what it is. There's an air raid alarm, isn't it, Portal? I don't know. I just got my instructor, that's all. Come on now. Move along, please. It's not with you waiting on the platform. This is a last train. You can get a bus upstairs if you want. I can't understand it. What are they up to? No symphony at all.

[Bill]

Hurry up. Gun.

[Mike]

Identity card. Identity car. Thank you. Next one, please. Identity card. I haven't got one.

[Bill]

My name is.

[Sam]

Mr. Din has come home. King Cross is only a very short, a rather charming walk along the embankment to Scotland Yard. Mr. Dodkins absolutely admitted that his most embarrassing moments were not at the height of the investigation or in the heat of the final fit. They were before the discovery of his wife's remains. You remember that he became strangely regular in paying his wife's maintenance money, of course, after her disappearance, you see, one of the officials of Old street police.

[Bill]

Station had developed a trying habit of.

[Sam]

Remarking to him when he thought in the money. Now, Harry, you know you've killed your old woman. What have you done with him, buddy? Well, that's all today. I'll be back again to tell you some more of the secrets of Scotland Yard.