This paper reports findings from a participant observation study of detective work in a UK constabulary. It seeks to update contemporary understanding and suggests that the time given to investigate activities has decreased. Further, organisational and intra-organisational pressures to complete clerical tasks, especially crime related tasks, have reduced the opportunity for detectives to engage in proactive, crime prevention and detection activities. Some suggestions are made about the future of the Criminal Investigations Department, the use of civilian support staff and the function of detectives.
