Mysteries in detective work: A study of values, beliefs and practices

• In Event: POLWG Panel 14. Police Culture: Police Officer identity, values and the impact of police reform

Abstract

Detective work is often fraught with challenges. Across various countries, concerns have been raised about issues such as effectiveness problems, wrongful convictions, abuse of power and rights violations. While some of these problems stem from structural factors - such as capacity shortages, time constraints or performance pressures – social aspects inherent to the detective profession may also contribute to these issues. This study explores the role of detective culture in the development of problems in criminal investigations, a research area that remains largely neglected.
The research employs a mixed-methods approach. Interviews with detectives and supervisors provide insight into the problems detectives encounter and the values they uphold. Additionally, observational studies of three Dutch detective teams offer a deeper understanding of the dilemmas detectives face, how they resolve them, and how underlying cultural assumptions shape their actions.
The findings reveal several tensions that detectives must navigate, including the trade-off between solving cases and ensuring fair procedures, the balance between thorough investigations and efficiency, the struggle to maintain objectivity while considering moral implications, and the perceived conflict between maintaining collegiality and critically assessing colleagues' work and behavior. Detectives often rely on tacit cultural assumptions to navigate these dilemmas, including assumptions about the nature of their work and mission, assumptions about victims, suspects and “deservingness”, and assumptions about their relationships with colleagues. However, findings show that these very assumptions can also generate new bottlenecks in criminal investigations, such as prioritizing “exciting” cases or cases with “ideal victims”, or deprioritizing learning and innovation.
Overall, the study sheds light on how detective culture shapes investigative practices and the unintended consequences it may produce. The implications of the research will be discussed, particularly in terms of what this means for "good detective work."

Author

• Anouk van Schaik, Radboud University Nijmegen (the Netherlands)