The detective heading the investigation has led some of the Metropolitan Police's most high- profile cases.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Ephgrave has been a police officer for 15 years and for the past two years has worked as a senior investigating officer for the Met's serious crime directorate.

During that time he has worked on 15 murder cases, including the reopened Damilola Taylor murder investigation following the acquittal of four teenagers in April 2002.

He also led the investigation into the murder of Sri Lankan laundry boss Sellathurai Balasingham, allegedly battered to death with cricket bats in Mitcham in November, 2001. The case is currently at the Old Bailey.