Investigating homicide: back to the future
| Pages | 229-239 |
| Published date | 16 September 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-03-2019-0021 |
| Date | 16 September 2019 |
| Author | Cheryl Allsop,Sophie Pike |
Investigating homicide: back to the future
Cheryl Allsop and Sophie Pike
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to suggest two things: first, that the scientific and technological
developments and increased regulation that have shaped homicide investigations in England and Wales over
the last few decades have provided today’s investigators with opportunities not available to their
predecessors, and play a key role in solvingunsolved homicides. Second, however, the authors suggest that
such developments have created new challenges for investigators, challenges that impede current
investigations, potentially creating the future unsolved cases.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper draws on two qualitative studies that comprised over eight
months of ethnographic research, observations, interviews with serving and retired homicide detectives and
case file analysis.
Findings –The widespread changes to homicide investigations in England and Wales have been valuable in
many respects, notably, they have allowed detectives to look back in time and bring longstanding unsolved
cases to a close. However, change, although well intentioned, might actually be creating future cold cases as
detectives endeavour to manage the volume of information now generated during investigations, fast
evolving scientific and technological techniques and an increase in bureaucracy.
Practical implications –This study is helpful for: improving investigative practice; learning from change;
reducing unsolved homicides vs a rise in new cold cases; and innovative and entrepreneurial investigators.
Originality/value –Utilising qualitative research, this paper contributes to the academic literature exploring
homicide investigation in England and Wales, offering insight into the challenges facing detectives and the
potential impact of these upon solving past and present homicide cases.
Keywords Qualitative research, Change, Cold case, Detective work, Homicide investigations,
Unsolved homicide cases
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Over the past few decades, homicide investigations have been subject to significant change.
The origins of many developments can be traced back to the 1981 Byford Inquiry that followed
the investigation into the crimes of Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper. The inquiry
established, among other things, the need to review investigations, ensure more effective
management of information and enhance accountability. The inquiry’s extensive
recommendations have “governed all major crime investigations since”(Brain, 2010, p. 36).
This, however, was just the beginning and the years that have followed have seen continuous
reform of homicide investigation, reforms that have also impacted upon the very nature of
detective work itself, which has evolved from being considered a craft, learned on the job with
detectives drawi ng on experience, intuition an d hunches, to a professional and s cientific mode
of investigation (Tong and Bowling, 2006; Innes, 2010; James, 2013; O’Neill, 2018). Of course,
the changes outlined below have taken place alongside a range of other major shifts including
financial, organi sational, political and cultural t hat have affected the police service as a whole,
but which there is no space to discuss here. The focus here is on the impact of changes in
science and technology, in combination with increased regulation, on the way investigations
are conducted and to some extent on their outcomes.
One of the most influential developments that followed the Byford Inquiry was the introduction of
the Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (HOLMES), a computerised system designed to
hold and manage the information generated during major crime investigations (Stelfox, 2008).
Received 31 March 2019
Revised 16 July 2019
Accepted 31 July 2019
Cheryl Allsop is based at the
Centre for Criminology,
University of South Wales,
Pontypridd, UK.
Sophie Pike is based at the
Bath Spa University, Bath, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JCRPP-03-2019-0021VOL. 5 NO. 3 2019, pp.229-239, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2056-3841
j
JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGICALRESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE
j
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