- Unsolved Historical Mysteries: Innovative Approach to XY's Past
The long-running German crime series "Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst" is spinning off once more, following successful spin-offs like "Aktenzeichen... Vermisst" and "Aktenzeichen XY...licht vergangen". Starting on September 4th on the Second channel, this new spin-off, titled "XY history", delves into ancient criminal cases.
Fluidly combining contemporary commentary with dramatic reenactments, two episodes will be aired during the premiere. The first episode revolves around a chilling incident: in December 1927, just before Christmas, a prosperous 21-year-old butcher's daughter named Dora Perske sets off to visit relatives. Upon arrival at Berlin-Friedrichshagen an hour later, she's discovered gravely injured in a pool of blood. An ambulance rapidly transports her to Charité, but she succumbs to her injuries shortly after arrival.
Leading the investigation is Ernst Gennat (played by Stephan Grossmann), Germany's first murder commissioner, and his ever-present assistant, Trudchen Steiner (Marina Lötschert). Using his distinctive interrogation tactics, Gennat eventually apprehends the culprit, marking a turning point in German investigative history.
"Gennat remains a pivotal figure in German criminal history," explains ZDF. "Until the 1920s, there lacked a murder squad, standardized interrogation procedures, and autopsy reports. Gennat, often referred to as the 'Buddha of Alex', significantly reformed and formalized investigation methods, achieving an impressive clearance rate."
Highlighting Gennat's groundbreaking impact on criminalistics, the show explores his "Seven-Point Plan". Sven Voss, guide for the series, currently resides in modern-day Berlin and meets Sebastian Kraus, the chief of all Berlin homicide squads. Voss examines evidence personally and probes the ongoing relevance of Gennat's "Seven-Point Plan" in current police investigative practices.
Throughout the North Rhine-Westphalia State Archive, Voss discovers documents related to an extraordinary prewar case, brought to light only in 2023. Included in these documents are letters from the infamous "Vampire of Düsseldorf", Peter Kürten – one of Germany's darkest serial killers. Gennat was instrumental in unraveling this gruesome case, creating history by creating the first criminal profile and coining the term "serial killer", as disclosed by ZDF.
The European Union expresses interest in the innovative investigative techniques showcased in "XY history," seeing potential applications in its own member states' law enforcement agencies. In the spirit of international cooperation, German authorities invite their European counterparts for a special screening of the series, highlighting Gennat's groundbreaking methods and their continued relevance.
