A harrowing true crime documentary series, which includes a trigger warning for 'distressing scenes', has been made available to stream for free on ITVX. The series, titled 'Murder: Point of Contact', originally premiered on the True Crime channel in September of last year but has now been acquired by the popular UK channel's streaming service.
Series Overview and Content Warnings
The 10-part series, with each episode running for 60 minutes, delves into the challenging work of Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) as they navigate complex murder investigations. ITV has issued explicit warnings to viewers, noting that the episodes contain content related to child sexual abuse, distressing scenes, real crime footage, and flashing images, making it suitable only for mature audiences.
Episode Details and Case Studies
The first episode, 'A Stranger Comes Knocking', centers on the tragic case of eight-year-old Jamie Lavis. The second episode, 'Three Little Kisses', explores the death of a girl named Amanda in a house fire. Subsequent episodes include titles such as 'The Birkby House Fire', 'No Honour Murder', 'Murder in Plane Sight', 'The Wrong Place the Wrong Time', 'A Murder in The Family', 'A Tear Hit The Desk', 'One on One', and 'The First Family Liaison', each offering in-depth looks at various murder cases.
Insights from Family Liaison Officers
In the trailer for the series, a man emphasizes the critical role of Family Liaison Officers, stating, 'A Family Liaison Officer is very important. You've got to gather information from the victim's family and at the same time support them in every way you can.' A voiceover adds, 'In the wake of a tragic murder, a link between police and community is vital.' Another contributor, a woman, reflects, 'You are in a privileged position to get to know people at their worst to see them come out of the other end on the road to recovery.'
Series Synopsis and Police Perspective
According to the True Crime official YouTube channel, the series reveals how specialist police officers support and investigate families to solve murders, often within their own homes. The channel explains, 'To understand how someone died, you need to understand how they lived. But how do police investigate families and friends while also supporting them at the worst time in their lives?' The series unravels murder cases through the eyes of the FLOs involved, highlighting their dual role of providing support while conducting investigations.
Context in the True Crime Genre
This release comes amid a surge in true crime content available for streaming. Recently, true crime enthusiasts have been captivated by a new documentary series on Netflix titled 'Accused: Did I Do It?', which follows individuals accused of serious crimes in the US. That series, featuring first-person testimonies and insights from law enforcement, has garnered attention for its gripping narratives and unexpected outcomes, as noted in viewer reviews.
For those interested, 'Murder: Point of Contact' is now available to stream on ITVX, offering a profound look into the emotional and investigative challenges faced by Family Liaison Officers in the aftermath of murder cases.
