Geoforensics expert to help Crown in search for remains of schoolgirl in half-century old case

Frank Mulholland QC (pictured) has instructed soil expert Professor Lorna Dawson of the Hutton Institute in Aberdeen to assist with the search for the remains of Moira Anderson.

Moira, 11, was last seen on a bus being driven by Alexander Gartshore, a known child abuser.

Mr Gartshore died in 2006. Prosecutors think he murdered the schoolgirl but her remains have never been found.

A Crown Office spokesman said: “Given the public concern about the disappearance of Moira Anderson the lord advocate last year took the unprecedented step of naming Alexander Gartshore as the person who would have been indicted for her murder had he been alive today.

“The lord advocate also instructed the investigation remain open in the hope that one day her body may be found and her family be given the closure they deserve.

“The lord advocate is delighted that Prof Lorna Dawson of the Hutton Institute has agreed to help in the search for Moira’s remains.”

He added: “The case will remain open until her remains are found.”