Nicola Bulley cops draft in top detective from ‘Britain’s FBI’ to crack case after force blasted for ‘dreadful errors’
POLICE searching for Nicola Bulley have drafted in a top detective to crack the riddle of her disappearance.
The officer - from the National Crime Agency (NCA), dubbed Britain’s FBI - solved the mystery of murdered cop Julia James last year.
The detective - who has not been named - is now leading a team of experts in the search for Nicola.
The 45-year-old vanished in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, on January 27 while walking dog Willow along the River Wyre.
The detective is understood to have been called in at a relatively early stage in the search for the missing mum-of-two.
He is reported to be part of the NCA's major crime investigative support unit.
Read More on Nicola Bulley
The crack detective is said to have worked on the case of ex-hospital worker David Fuller, found guilty of killing two women in 1987.
The 68-year-old morgue monster also abused corpses of dozens of women and girls in hospital mortuaries in Kent.
The cop is providing advice to Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith, the senior investigating officer on Nicola's case, .
And the NCA sleuth made requests for external experts to help the force, it is understood.
Most read in The Sun
These have included specialists in search and family liaison and digital media to examine Nicola's phone and other electronic devices.
A forensic clinical psychologist and behavioural expert are also on the ground analysing Nicola's state of mind.
Police looking for the mortgage advisor are still working on their main hypothesis that she fell in the river.
It comes amid backlash at the force's handling of the case.
In a statement on February 15, Lancashire Police revealed that Nicola had been categorised as a high risk missing person due to her "vulnerabilities".
They explained that these included "significant issues with alcohol" brought about by her struggles with the menopause.
Cops also stated that officers had attended her family home just weeks before her disappearance.
The disclosures sparked outrage, with Mr Underhill saying they could "destroy" Nicola's reputation, while one pal of hers accused police of trying to "shift focus" from their own failings.
Lancashire Constabulary has launched its own internal probe into the matter, as well as referring itself to the independent police watchdog and being called in to explain the decision to the Home Secretary.
Nicola was last seen close to the River Wyre on January 27 with her springer spaniel Willow.
DS Smith confirmed that the force's "main working hypothesis" remains that Nicola fell in the river.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But she revealed two other theories for her disappearance - Nicola leaving the area voluntarily and third party involvement.
DS Smith said: "There is not a single piece of information or evidence to suggest there is any third-party involvement."