The Changing Face of CID: by Kris Williams

4 September 2026

Almost 20 years to the day before writing this, I left CID for the first time, promoted to uniform sergeant and carrying a vastly inflated sense of self-importance.

Looking back on the office I left behind, I’m reminded of a slightly updated version of Life on Mars. Detectives were issued with Nokia phones that could last almost two weeks between charges, although their capabilities extended little further than calls, texts and a game of Snake.

Some of my more experienced colleagues wore theirs proudly in holsters on their belts. Despite my advancing years, it’s a fashion trend I’ve yet to embrace.

We also carried briefcases everywhere. Case files existed largely on paper - although the younger detectives occasionally ventured into the world of floppy disks - and almost everything was handwritten. Perhaps The Inbetweeners finally put an end to that particular accessory.

Kris Williams

While the fundamentals of investigation remain largely unchanged, the nature of investigations has evolved significantly. Cases have become more complex, more data-rich and often far more time-consuming.

Where a detective’s bread and butter once consisted of serious assaults, robberies and sexual offences, advances in technology have created entirely new opportunities for offending. Many of the crimes we now investigate are cyber-enabled, and almost all involve some form of digital evidence.

In recent years, the introduction of Digital Media Investigators has reflected the growing importance of understanding how best to identify, preserve and exploit digital evidence.

The Digital Forensics Unit provides invaluable support in examining devices that can now contain vast quantities of information. These developments have required detectives to continually adapt, developing new skills and a deeper understanding of where evidence can be found and how to use it.

Interviews

The last two decades have also seen a significant shift in investigative mindset. Increasingly, the focus has moved away from relying solely on victims to provide statements or participate in video-recorded interviews, towards a greater emphasis on offender behaviour, digital footprints and other passive forms of evidence.

This approach has strengthened the ability to pursue evidence-led prosecutions and deliver the best possible service to victims.

Teams such as the Priority Crime Team have embraced technological advances and new ways of working to great effect. By making better use of available evidence and investigative opportunities, they have not only secured convictions resulting in custodial sentences but have also reduced investigative timescales, in some cases avoiding lengthy waits for forensic analysis before progressing cases.

CID today looks very different from the department I left almost 20 years ago. Yet despite changes in technology, processes, and criminality, the essence of detective work remains the same. And that is, following the evidence, getting the facts, and delivering justice for victims.

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