This comprehensive overview and critical analysis of the development and practice of criminal investigation examines decision-making within criminal investigations and links investigative influences on policing with the evidence-based agenda.

Introduction: Defining criminal investigation
Art, craft, science and austerity
Training investigators
Decision-making
The centrality of law
The problem of success
IPCC reports on investigations
Concluding remarks

Martin O'Neill is a senior lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University and served with Kent Police for thirty years.