SOME of the most infamous murder cases have been solved through help and advice received from Harperley Hall.

The country estate, near the market town of Crook, was bought by Durham Police Authority in 1947 as a police training school.

It has gone on to claim its rightful place in history from early 1990 to the present day - leading the way in forensic science, teaching scenes of crime officers from throughout the UK how to gather evidence.

Up to 1000 civilian scenes of crime officers have passed through the centre each year and have gone on to use their skills to assist police officers in notorious cases such as the Fred West murders.

Even the Metropolitan Police, in London, approached the centre for advice during the Stephen Lawrence murder investigation.

And there is not a day goes by when the centre does not get calls from different countries all over the world with queries.

But now as the future of forensic science and its importance in solving crime throughout the country comes under the microscope, the success of Harperley could have outgrown its surroundings.

Peter Ablett, director of Harperley Hall, said: "We are currently part of Durham Constabulary and clearly the priority for the constabulary is the policing of County Durham and that should always remain the case.

"So it is probably fair to say that from one perspective we have begun to outgrow the organisation of which we are a part.''

An in depth report called Under The Microscope, written by Her Majesty's Inspector David Blakey, who was recently honoured at Harperley, looks at the best way forward for the use of scientific methods in solving crime nationally.

In his executive summary on training, he acknowledges that Durham Police has led the way.

He said: "It is remarkable that the training of many specialists has fallen on the shoulders of one small force, Durham. The service owes it a debt of professional gratitude.''

The report concludes that to take the use of methods such as DNA forward there needs to be a much larger centre of excellence bringing training programmes from all over the country under on roof.

But Mr Ablett is keen to point out that no decision has yet been made on whether Harperley Hall will close.

He does admit that his own job and the jobs of about 50 other staff working there are currently under threat.

He said: "Proposals are going forward to Government for funding to create this new initiative to take us into the 21st Century in tackling criminality. As part of the creation of this new organisation the future of the national training centre in County Durham will be under discussion.

"I cannot confirm or otherwise whether Harperley is going to close or not. There is a lot of anxiety amongst the staff and the Chief Constable is concerned about the future of the staff throughout this difficult period.

"Everything is in the melting pot. The North-East has got a great deal to be proud of particularly Durham Police Authority.''

If Harperley does close it could be up to two years before everything is wrapped up but Mr Ablett says the staff are caught between what could be achieved in the future and what history has created.

He said: "It is the agony and the ecstasy but there is something magic about Harperley Hall and whatever happens I wish I could bottle it up and take it with me.''