A Recent History of Homicide Investigation: Changes and Implications for Criminal Justice in England and Wales

This book explores how homicide investigation in England and Wales has changed since the 1980s, including the opportunities and challenges that have arisen as a consequence. It identifies four main areas of change: science and technology, legislation, regulation and guidance, investigative practice, and detective status and culture. The change has been driven by a growing preoccupation with risk, the changing political landscape, reactions to miscarriages of justice, and advances in science and technology. The book will be a valuable resource for students, researchers, and policymakers in the areas of criminal law and procedure, criminal justice, criminology, and policing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 106 pages
Publication date: 26 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Drawing on extensive research, including interviews with former and serving detectives, this book delves into the profound transformations that homicide investigations in England and Wales have undergone since the 1980s. The investigation of the Yorkshire Ripper case in particular highlighted numerous shortcomings in the pursuit of Peter Sutcliffe, leading to a significant reform of the homicide investigation process. Since then, these investigations have faced relentless criticism and have undergone numerous changes. This book aims to examine the multifaceted impact of these changes on every aspect of homicide investigations, identifying four primary areas of focus: science and technology, legislation, regulation, and guidance, investigative practice, and detective status and culture.

The work demonstrates that change has been driven by four primary catalysts: a growing concern for risk, a shifting political landscape, responses to miscarriages of justice and other high-profile cases, and advancements in science and technology. It explores the intricate interplay between what has been lost and gained as a result of these transformations. On the one hand, scientific and technological advancements have provided investigators with invaluable tools to track offenders' movements and reconstruct the events that unfolded. This has led to a more comprehensive understanding of crime scenes and a greater ability to bring criminals to justice.

However, the advent of change has also brought about a shift in the mindset of homicide detectives. In today's risk-averse environment, detectives must navigate a vast sea of technological information, often overwhelming and complex. They are also tasked with adhering to a plethora of legislation and guidance that governs investigations and imposes strict budgetary constraints. This has created a new set of challenges for detectives, requiring them to adapt and evolve in order to remain effective in their roles.

The book is an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and policymakers interested in the fields of criminal law and procedure, criminal justice, criminology, and policing. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the changes that have shaped homicide investigations and provides insights into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. By examining the impact of change on every aspect of these investigations, the book sheds light on the complex dynamics that underpin the pursuit of justice and the role of detectives in achieving it.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032062341