MI6 spook killed the mad monk

A British forensic scientist has helped unravel the mystery behind the death of Rasputin, writes Olga Wojtas.

Derek Pounder, head of Dundee University's department of forensic medicine, helped debunk long-standing claims that Rasputin was poisoned, then shot and finally drowned.

Professor Pounder, who re-examined autopsy evidence, found that Rasputin had been shot at point-blank range.

According to the ballistics evidence, the bullet came from the largest calibre gun known to be present at the time of the killing, which was the one carried by a British MI6 agent.

"The actual bullet used would have proved that beyond doubt, but it appears to have been removed," Professor Pounder said.

Professor Pounder was commissioned by author Andrew Cook to review the forensic records for his recently published book To Kill Rasputin , published by Tempus.