It’s not all like Midsomer Murders or Vera! The book identifies the professionalism of such investigations and explains the processes involved from the finding of a body to the close of the trial. What is murder in the first place? How do the police differentiate between the different levels of homicide?
FOREWORD
Murder is brutal and the most violent of crimes. However, despite this, the majority of the population are fascinated with murder and its investigation. This has led to a huge growth over the years, not only in media coverage but also in its dramatisation in TV fiction, as well as the showing of true crime stories.
So why is this? Does the human race possess an inbuilt morbid curiosity about murder and its portrayal? Is the population somehow perverted in attempting to assuage its apparent thirst for such coverage? High viewing numbers are guaranteed for any television programme containing police-related stories. There seems to be a certain romance, whether in fiction or in documentaries, regarding police investigation into instances of major crime and in particular those involving murder.
Kevin Moore, the author of this book, is a retired senior police officer who spent the vast majority of his police career as a detective and ended his police service as Head of the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) in Sussex Police. During his time, he was involved at all levels and ranks in many murder investigations. Therefore, he has considerable knowledge and experience of what is involved in investigating these most violent of crimes.
In this book, he explores the seemingly endless public obsession with the act of murder itself. The book then moves on to consider the reality of such investigations, as opposed to the fictional portrayal. Kevin discusses the ways in which murder investigation over the years has fundamentally changed and how this is reflected in the resources now used. He also deals with the ways in which the professionalisation of such enquiries has developed. He is quick to point out, however, that much of the learning comes from those who
have been involved in such investigations previously. Indeed, he acknowledges that much of his own learning came from those with whom he worked over the years.
Throughout the book, in order to highlight the elements involved in murder investigation, Kevin uses case studies taken from enquiries in which he was involved or which he led. Most of these are, therefore, related to Sussex. However, he has also included other cases which highlight particular issues that he feels help the reader to understand.
This therefore makes for a very interesting account of the developments in murder investigation over the years. It helps the reader understand the thought processes used by those leading such cases.
The final part of the book considers how murder investigation may develop further in the future, as policing faces funding pressures identical to other public sector organisations. This will need careful handling as the folly of ‘cutting corners’ in such cases has considerable consequences.
The book is also a tribute to all those police officers who have been involved in such cases. These events are rightly high-profile and so there is considerable exposure and pressure for those involved. Decision-making is therefore tested, not only through judicial proceedings but often through the media also. There is massive public interest in murder and its investigation. Involvement in such cases is not for everyone and is certainly not for the faint-hearted!
However, most of those who have undertaken the role of homicide investigators over the years recognize the huge privilege involved in investigating the deaths of fellow human beings. This is a key element of the homicide investigator’s creed as included at the start of the book.
“For fans of real-life murder investigations everywhere! Retired Chief Superintendent Kevin Moore takes a fresh look at how murder investigations have developed over the last forty years and revisits some of the high-profile murder cases he was involved in during his career with Sussex Police.
What part do forensics play and what issues do the police have to be aware of? What happens when criminals murder criminals? Kevin played a part in dozens of murder investigations, either as the Senior Investigating Officer or as the lead in reviews of such cases. His role in cold murder investigations is also explored. Cases highlighted by Kevin include the murders of Milly Dowler and Billie-Jo Jenkins, as well as the brutal slaying of Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, the Babes in the Wood murders.
The investigations into killings such as those of Jimmy Millen and Jason Martin-Smith reveal what happens when thieves fall out with each other. Many other cases reveal the impact they have had on the modernisation of murder investigations and provide a fascinating insight into real police work.”
SEE READERS REVIEWS
“Real Murder Investigations – An Insider’s View”
My new book is now available from Amazon.
All Profits as before are going to the police charity COPS – Care of Police Survivors.