Remember this case pretty well.
What I do find strange is this:

Watson was convicted after a cold case investigation opened in 2015, during which adhesive tapings from his clothes were examined and a DNA match to him were made.

This murder was Nov 1994.
DNA used in evidence was in use since 1986, so why was it a cold case?
Convicted 28 years later

Former Assistant Chief Constable Paul Fullwood said officers had "made a promise that we would find the person responsible for Rikki's death and it's a promise we have kept". He said mistakes had been made and that police initially "charged the wrong person" in Ms Neave, but he denied that officers missed an opportunity to charge Watson during the original investigation.

This murder was Nov 1994.
DNA used in evidence was in use since 1986, so why was it a cold case?

Probably due to the massive increase in DNA development since 1994.

Alice Roberts has several articles and video's showing how the much better DNA sampling is helping archaeology.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25033360-100-alice-roberts-archaeogenetics-will-help-us-solve-mysteries-of-past/

Thanks for that.
I initially thought that since he was 13 at the time, police thought that a kid could not commit murder, that is until I thought of the Bulger murder by 2 10 year olds the previous year.

Cold cases with DNA evidence are usually reviewed everytime an advancement in DNA retrieval and testing procedures occurs and many more advancements are continuously being worked on.

Probably off topic, but I feel it is relevant.
Just finished watching a movie - 21 Bridges.
A bit OTT I thought.
But then again, was it?
Seeing the various police threads & the reports over the years, makes one think.
With the $$$$$$ involved in drugs these days...
...I thought back to the Frank Serpico days.

Something is certainly rotten in Uvalde.

Uvalde mother who got out of cuffs to rescue kids from shooting is now being harassed by police, lawyer says.

A Uvalde mother who was handcuffed as she tried to run by police outside Robb Elementary School, but eventually got free and rescued her kids, is now being harassed by police after speaking out about the ordeal, her lawyer said this week....

Met Police put into a "form" of special measures

In a statement the force said: "We recognise the cumulative impact of events and problems that the Met is dealing with.
"We understand the impact this has had on communities and we share their disappointment.
"We are determined to be a police service Londoners can be proud of. We are talking to the inspectorate about next steps."

Just the usual platitudes.
As for cumulative effects
Have fun with your attempts to regain trust & respect.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Two rookie Oakland police officers chased the driver of a Nissan 350Z they said was involved in a sideshow event, prompting a deadly crash before fleeing the scene without helping anyone who was injured...

---

In New Haven, Connecticut, Black Man Paralyzed While Being Transported in Police Van, Officers Seen in Footage Now on Leave.

A link from that report.
A false report led to abduction & murder. The police response:

According to the AP, after the warrant was first filed, the sheriff in Leflore County told reporters he didn't want to "bother" Donham, noting she had two young children to care for.

Unserved warrant found in "unmarked" box

Comedy Capers in action.

Watch two police officers threaten to arrest each other.

I'm surprised that he took this long.

Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo plans to step down from City Council seat.

Actually I'm surprised that he's still in the state.

Actually I'm surprised that he's still in the state.

He hasn't run south yet?

You'd certainly think that he'd have found a very large rock very far away by now to hide his cowardly butt under.

At least America has one saving grace. Their Firefighters are better than their coppers.
Can you imagine a Fire Chief ordering his people to NOT enter a burning building?

At least America has one saving grace. Their Firefighters are better than their coppers.
Can you imagine a Fire Chief ordering his people to NOT enter a burning building?

Happens all the time. But usually only when the roof and walls are caving in. They call it surround and drown.

That's understandable. However, when the building is just burning & people trapped?

I can see any good coming out of this. :-(

Akron police release footage of fatal shooting of 25-year-old Jayland Walker during traffic stop.

Talk about a wild shooting gallery.