Netflixs The breakthrough is a gripping Swedish miniseries that brings to life one of Europe’s most baffling and haunting criminal cases of this century: a 2004 double murder in the country’s southern city of Linköping. The four-part drama examines not only the devastating crime, but also the groundbreaking technology that led investigators 16 years later to solve the crime. Director: Lisa Siwe (The bridge) and written by Oskar Söderlund (Snabba Cash), the series blends true crime with human drama and focuses on the resilience of the victims’ families and the investigators who refused to give up.

Since its premiere earlier this week, the series has secured a spot in Netflix’s daily top 10 most-watched series. Let’s delve into the real story behind it The breakthrough and how it turned a cold case into a historic moment in forensic science.

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A shocking crime that stunned Sweden

On the morning of October 19, 2004, the small town of Linköping was shaken by an unimaginable act of violence. Eight-year-old Mohammed Ammouri was walking to school when he was brutally attacked and stabbed by a masked attacker. Anna-Lena Svensson, a 56-year-old woman who happened to witness the attack, tried to intervene but was also fatally stabbed.

The murders were shocking not only for their brutality but also for their randomness. There appeared to be no connection between the victims or a clear motive for the crime. Despite intensive investigations, which included securing DNA traces from the crime scene and the perpetrator’s discarded hat, the police were unable to identify the perpetrator.

The case soon became known as one of Sweden’s most notorious cold cases, leaving the city of Linköping and the victims’ families desperate for answers.

A case that did not want to be forgotten

For over a decade, the Linköping murders preoccupied Swedish law enforcement. Investigators meticulously reviewed the evidence and followed up on countless leads, but all efforts ended in frustration. While the DNA evidence was a crucial piece of the puzzle, it did not produce any matches in national or international databases.

The families of Ammouri and Svensson were left to mourn endlessly. Public interest in the case waned and it seemed as if the murders would never be solved. But a breakthrough was on the horizon – one that would revolutionize criminal investigations in Europe.

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The role of forensic genealogy

In 2020, forensic genealogy, a relatively new investigative technique, became key to solving the case. This method, which had already gained traction in the United States, uses DNA samples to determine a suspect’s family tree using publicly available genealogical databases.

The turning point in the Linköping case came when genealogist Peter Sjölund joined the investigation. By analyzing the DNA evidence, Sjölund was able to trace the killer’s lineage back over 200 years and create a complicated family tree that eventually led to the suspect: Daniel Nyqvist.

Nyqvist, who was 37 at the time and was in his early 20s when the crime occurred, was arrested in June 2020. His DNA matched the crime scene evidence and he quickly confessed to the murders. In court, Nyqvist claimed he acted under the influence of voices in his head and described the attacks as unprovoked. He was found guilty and sentenced to indefinite psychiatric treatment.

This was the first time in European history that forensic genealogy was used to solve a murder case, setting a precedent for future investigations.

How The breakthrough dramatizes the case

The breakthrough is a dramatized retelling of the events surrounding the Linköping murders. Directed by Lisa Siwe, the series combines the procedural intensity of a crime thriller with a profound examination of human tragedy.

The narrative unfolds in two time periods: the immediate aftermath of the murders in 2004 and the renewed investigation in 2020. Peter Eggers portrays John, based on the determined detective Jan Egon Staaf, who refused to let the case rest, while Mattias Nordkvist plays Per, a character inspired by genealogist Peter Sjölund. The series also introduces fictional versions of the victims and their families, adding emotional depth to the story.

Siwe emphasized the series’ focus on the human aspects of the tragedy in an interview with Netflix. “Although it is a fictional drama series about a crime, it is, above all, a depiction of a human tragedy – focusing on the victims and the investigation rather than the perpetrator.”

The series takes some creative liberties, including changing the names of the victims and the genealogist, but remains true to the core events of the case.

Why The breakthrough stands out in the true crime genre

In contrast to many true crime productions, which focus heavily on the perpetrators, The breakthrough focuses on the victims and the investigators. It addresses the personal toll of the case on those involved and highlights the power of perseverance and innovation in the search for justice.

The series also explores the ethical implications of forensic genealogy. While the technology proved invaluable in solving the Linköping murders and marked a turning point in European law enforcement, its use raises questions about privacy and the potential for abuse. Do these topics The breakthrough Not only a gripping crime drama, but also a thought-provoking look at the future of crime investigations.

As the groundbreaking work of genealogist Peter Sjölund proved, with a bit of luck, even the most difficult puzzles can be solved with dogged determination and a willingness to think outside the box.