Criminal Investigation Chapter 1

Questions and Answers

The Statute of Winchester established the ______ and Ward Act.

Watch

Jonathan Wild was known as the most famous ______ catcher in the 1720s.

thief

Henry Fielding founded the Bow Street ______.

Runners

John Fielding was known as the ______ Beak due to his blindness.

<p>Blind</p> Signup and view all the answers

All males were required to keep ______ in their homes for maintaining public peace.

<p>weapons</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Statute of Winchester (1285 AD)

Established a basic criminal justice system in England.
Made individuals responsible for their own law enforcement.
Introduced the Watch and Ward Act, emphasizing personal accountability.
Implemented the Hue and Cry system for community-based crime response.
Parish Constables appointed as primary urban law enforcement agents.
Mandated that all males keep weapons at home to maintain public order.

Jonathan Wild (1720s)

A former buckle maker and brothel operator turned master criminal.
Known as London’s most effective criminal investigator during the 1720s.
First to charge fees for recovering stolen property, innovating criminal investigation.

Henry Fielding (1749)

Founded the Bow Street Runners, acknowledged as London’s first professional police force.
Initial team consisted of just eight members, laying groundwork for modern police forces.
Authored An Inquiry into the Causes of the Late Increase of Robbers in 1751, advocating for legal reforms.

John Fielding (1753)

Served as Henry Fielding’s personal assistant and half-brother.
Played a key role in combating corruption and enhancing the effectiveness of justice administration.
Introduced practices such as developing informants, issuing wanted notices, conducting criminal raids, and using firearms and handcuffs.
Known as the “Blind Beak,” he could reportedly identify 3,000 criminals by their voices despite being blind.

Description

Explore the foundations of criminal investigation as outlined in Chapter 1. This chapter delves into the Statute of Winchester and its significance in shaping early law enforcement practices in England. Understand the roles established under this statute that directed community responsibility for law and order.