ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1 the key questions are “How have homicide investigations in England and Wales changed?” and “Why have they changed?” It will be shown that reform has shaped all areas of these investigations, with changes in respect of science and technology; legislation, regulation and guidance; investigative practice and detective status; and culture identified. The reasons for change will be shown to be similarly diverse in that whilst four key triggers are identified – a preoccupation with risk, the changing political landscape, reactions to miscarriages of justice and investigative errors and advances in science and technology – a more complex picture emerges, with broader societal factors also appearing to have had influence.
