The science of sleuthing : the evolution of detective practice in English regional cities, 1836-1914

Crime investigation has captured the public's imagination since the early nineteenth century, and the fascination with detectives and their sleuthing adventures endures today. Yet, despite the widespread interest, little is known about how the first professional police detectives developed their investigative skills. Police histories provide broad summaries rather than detailed analyses of the contribution of regional police detectives and there is limited published information about the formation and evolution of borough detective departments. Using primary sources, such as watch committee records, government reports and trial depositions, this thesis examines how Victorian and Edwardian detectives in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham acquired and developed their crime detection abilities. The comparative study is undertaken within the context of local environment, organisational change, national legislation and the advances in forensic science and communications technology. It charts the evolution of detective practice and identifies the key points of change. This thesis presents a thorough examination of the modus operandi of regional detective officers. The findings challenge the assumption of police historians that regional detective policing was somewhat rudimentary, slow to change and based mostly on trial and error. It demonstrates that, from the earliest days of the new police, many regional detective officers were capable, innovative and adaptable. Moreover, the larger borough police forces formed efficient and effective prototype detective departments from their inception. It argues that the blending of traditional investigative strategies with new methods is evidence of the professionalisation of the borough detective police. This study fills an important gap in the police historiography and reveals for the first time how the early police detectives developed their investigative skills, which formed the foundation for crime detection practices today. This makes a significant and unique contribution to previous academic research and provides new information on detective policing for a wider audience.

Grantor dc:publisher

Oxford Brookes University

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Buckley, Angela Marie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Watson, Katherine D.
• Nash, David

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

DOI dc:identifier

https://doi.org/10.24384/pggc-bv53

OAI identifier oai:identifier

tle:96df4213-9657-43d6-92db-77e9345ea23d:d6bd9758-527a-46cd-bfe2-c433766e8fca:1