A Brief History of Criminal Investigation

Summary

This video covers the evolution of criminal investigation, starting with early figures like Jonathan Wild, a notorious thief taker, and Eugene Vidocq, a former criminal turned investigator. It highlights the rise of organized detective services like the Bow Street Runners and the formation of the London Metropolitan Police by Sir Robert Peel. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency's role in pioneering investigative methods in America is also discussed, alongside key developments in criminalistics like Bertillon's anthropometry and the introduction of DNA fingerprinting in the 1980s. The video underscores the transformative impact of these figures and innovations on modern law enforcement.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jonathan Wild was one of the first private investigators, known as a 'thief-taker' in early England, but he was also suspected of being involved in the crimes he investigated.
• 😀 Eugene Vidocq, a former criminal, became a famous investigator in France and helped establish the Vidocq Society, dedicated to solving cold cases.
• 😀 The Bow Street Runners were an early example of organized detectives in England, originally focusing on street crime and pickpockets before evolving into the Metropolitan Police.
• 😀 Sir Robert Peel is credited with professionalizing law enforcement in England and founding the Metropolitan Police Service, establishing standards and selection criteria.
• 😀 Allan Pinkerton formed the Pinkerton Detective Agency in the 1840s, which became one of the first private investigation agencies and played a role in U.S. criminal investigations and intelligence during the Civil War.
• 😀 Thomas Burns, a prominent detective, worked under Pinkerton and helped create criminal databases and methods of identifying criminals through their patterns (MO).
• 😀 The Pinkerton Agency was the first major contracted agency providing investigative services, even used by the U.S. government for intelligence gathering during the Civil War.
• 😀 J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI, modernized the Bureau of Investigation into a professional law enforcement agency in the early 20th century.
• 😀 Alphonse Bertillon pioneered the use of anthropometry (measurements of the body) for criminal identification, but the method was eventually overshadowed by fingerprinting after the case of William and Will West.
• 😀 August Vollmer, a key figure in scientific criminal investigation, introduced new forensic techniques and was a founder of the International Association for Identification. His subordinate John Larson developed the polygraph machine.
• 😀 In the 1980s, Alec Jeffreys discovered DNA fingerprinting, revolutionizing criminal investigation and leading to its use in solving crimes like rapes and murders in the United Kingdom.

Q & A

Who was Jonathan Wild and what role did he play in early criminal investigation?

Jonathan Wild was one of the first private investigators in early England. He served as a 'thief taker' or 'thief catcher,' which meant that it was his responsibility to detect and apprehend criminals. However, it was suggested that Wild may have been just as involved in the crimes he investigated, making him an infamous figure in criminal history.

What role did Eugene Vidos play in the history of criminal investigation?

Eugene Vidos was a convicted criminal who, after experiencing the French criminal justice system, decided to become an investigator himself. He is notable for establishing the Vidos Society, which was named in his honor, and contributed to the development of criminal investigation in France during the early 19th century.

What were the Bow Street Runners, and what impact did they have on policing in England?

The Bow Street Runners were an early form of organized municipal detective service in London, formed in the 1800s. They operated as plainclothes detectives, focusing on street crimes such as pickpocketing, prostitution, and vagrancy. They are considered the forerunners of the London Metropolitan Police Service.

What contribution did Sir Robert Peel make to criminal investigation and law enforcement?

Sir Robert Peel is credited with founding the London Metropolitan Police and professionalizing law enforcement. He introduced standards of conduct and a structured approach to police selection, which laid the groundwork for modern police forces.

Who was Thomas Burns, and how did he contribute to the development of criminal investigation in America?

Thomas Burns was an early American detective who worked under Allan Pinkerton. He played a key role in creating the 'modus operandi' or methods of operation system, which allowed investigators to identify patterns in criminals' behavior and solve crimes more effectively.

What was Allan Pinkerton's role in the development of criminal investigation?

Allan Pinkerton founded the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in the 1840s, which became one of the first organizations to provide investigative services on a contractual basis. Pinkerton also created one of the first criminal databases, including the Rogues Gallery, a photographic record of criminals.

How did John Edgar Hoover contribute to the FBI and criminal investigation in the United States?

John Edgar Hoover joined the Bureau of Investigation (later the FBI) in 1919 and helped transform the agency from a politically driven organization into a professional, modern law enforcement body. Hoover's leadership contributed to the growth and professionalism of the federal investigative agency.

What was Alphonse Bertillon's contribution to criminal identification?

Alphonse Bertillon developed the first system of biometric identification, known as anthropometry, which used measurements of specific body parts to identify criminals. His method was widely used until it was rendered obsolete by the discovery of identical twins with similar physical characteristics.

What happened when William and Will West entered the Leavenworth prison, and why was it significant?

When William and Will West, identical twins, entered Leavenworth prison, their anthropometric measurements were almost identical. This case revealed the limitations of Bertillon’s system, as it could not distinguish between individuals with very similar physical features, leading to the end of Bertillonage as a method of criminal identification.

How did August Vollmer contribute to the development of scientific criminal investigation?

August Vollmer, appointed chief of police in Oakland, California in the early 20th century, promoted the use of scientific methods in criminal investigation. He was instrumental in the founding of the International Association for Identification and helped introduce modern techniques, including polygraph testing, to law enforcement.

What was the significance of Alec Jeffreys' discovery of DNA fingerprinting?

Alec Jeffreys' discovery of DNA fingerprinting in the 1980s revolutionized criminal investigation by providing a highly accurate method of identifying individuals based on their genetic material. This technique became crucial in solving a series of rapes and murders in the United Kingdom, marking a significant leap in forensic science.