Purpose

The study aims to examine the effect of detective experience on the likelihood of clearing a homicide, while controlling for additional extralegal and case/investigative characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses homicide and policing data collected from case files in a mid-sized US city. Detective experience is measured in multiple ways. Analytical models include extralegal variables, case characteristics, and proxies of investigative quality as controls. The study uses logistic regression with a dichotomous clearance outcome.

Findings

The results suggest a robust and significant inverse relationship between the years spent as a homicide detective and the likelihood of case closure. However, years of experience with the department overall has a significant and positive relationship to clearance. Investigation-related variables and case characteristics contribute more to model explanatory power than extralegal factors.

Originality/value

The potential role of experience has not been fully explored, with contradictory findings over time. This work builds on previous research to highlight the potential role of experience in clearing cases, while questioning previous assumptions tied to the belief that more experience improves investigative outcomes.

中文翻译：

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侦探经验在凶杀案清除中的作用

目的

该研究旨在检查侦探经验对清除凶杀案可能性的影响，同时控制额外的法外和案件/调查特征。

设计/方法/方法

本研究使用从美国一个中等城市的案件档案中收集的凶杀案和警务数据。侦探经验以多种方式衡量。分析模型包括法外变量、案件特征和作为对照的调查质量指标。该研究使用具有二分清除结果的逻辑回归。

发现

结果表明，担任凶杀案侦探的年数与案件结案的可能性之间存在强大且显着的反比关系。然而，在该部门的多年经验总体上与清关有着重要而积极的关系。与调查相关的变量和案例特征对模型解释力的贡献大于法外因素。

原创性/价值

经验的潜在作用尚未得到充分探索，随着时间的推移，发现相互矛盾。这项工作建立在以前的研究的基础上，以强调经验在清理案件中的潜在作用，同时质疑先前与更多经验可以改善调查结果的信念相关的假设。