History of Detectives
Genesis Leggett
Mrs. Marshall
AP Language
October 28, 2014
History of Detectives
A detective’s duty is to capture criminals and solve crimes through in depth investigations. In modern times the job of a detective may seem difficult, but throughout history detectives have constantly struggled with investigations. Due to the advancement in technology and science, along with the contributions made by scientific and undercover detectives; the criminal justice system has been able to evolve into a more dependable way to ensure justice.
Before the advancement of technology in forensic science, crimes that did not provide obvious evidence would have to be investigated using basic observation and skill. Time lost searching for evidence and plausible cause gave criminals a chance to get away. October 11, 1923, is the day that is known for Americans last Wild West train robbery. In the event three armed men proceeded to use dynamite to blow up a mail car, which in the process killed three innocent bystanders (Swift, Wizard of Berkeley, 1). When the dust had settled the culprits were nowhere to be found, and detectives had faced a cold trail. Just when it seem that all hope was lost investigators sent all evidence to a California chemist, Edward Heinrich. Heinrich used an advanced iodine technique on an old receipt which revealed one of the culprits involved in the crime (Swift, Wizard of Berkeley, 1). Without the advanced contribution of Heinrich the criminals would not have been found. Having an advanced knowledge in science and critical thinking determines whether a crime is solved. Although he is not a typical detective, his scientific qualities and attention for detail have been a major contribution for detectives in modern times.
In the past, detectives were limited to resources involving forensic evidence. The lack of advanced technology often led to innocent people being wrongly accused. Detectives based many of their arrests on belief and intuition. “They also
Mrs. Marshall
AP Language
October 28, 2014
History of Detectives
A detective’s duty is to capture criminals and solve crimes through in depth investigations. In modern times the job of a detective may seem difficult, but throughout history detectives have constantly struggled with investigations. Due to the advancement in technology and science, along with the contributions made by scientific and undercover detectives; the criminal justice system has been able to evolve into a more dependable way to ensure justice.
Before the advancement of technology in forensic science, crimes that did not provide obvious evidence would have to be investigated using basic observation and skill. Time lost searching for evidence and plausible cause gave criminals a chance to get away. October 11, 1923, is the day that is known for Americans last Wild West train robbery. In the event three armed men proceeded to use dynamite to blow up a mail car, which in the process killed three innocent bystanders (Swift, Wizard of Berkeley, 1). When the dust had settled the culprits were nowhere to be found, and detectives had faced a cold trail. Just when it seem that all hope was lost investigators sent all evidence to a California chemist, Edward Heinrich. Heinrich used an advanced iodine technique on an old receipt which revealed one of the culprits involved in the crime (Swift, Wizard of Berkeley, 1). Without the advanced contribution of Heinrich the criminals would not have been found. Having an advanced knowledge in science and critical thinking determines whether a crime is solved. Although he is not a typical detective, his scientific qualities and attention for detail have been a major contribution for detectives in modern times.
In the past, detectives were limited to resources involving forensic evidence. The lack of advanced technology often led to innocent people being wrongly accused. Detectives based many of their arrests on belief and intuition. “They also