Since this was first published in 1930 there has been a huge revolution in crime scene investigation. Homicide detectives from that time would boggle at all the developments that have occurred, and detectives from today would be horrified by the lack of resources available in 1930. However, it appears that one thing has remained remarkably unchanged in the past 80 years.... the bureaucracy of inept managers. Sadly this is the one thing that can hinder an investigation more than the presence or absence of any technology. These comments from Inspector Richard Queen on the recently appointed Police Commissioner echo through to the present day in a disturbingly familiar way:

"The Inspector snorted. 'How long has he been in office? No, don't tell me--let me guess. Two days. . . . Well, here's what he's done to us in two days. Get your teeth into this.

'Number one--reorganized the Missing Persons Bureau. And why poor Parsons got the gate I don't know. . . . Number two--scrambled seven precinct-captains so thoroughly that they need road maps to get back to familiar territory. Why? You tell me. . . . Number three--shifted the make-up of Traffic B, C, and D. Number four--reduced a square two dozen second-grade detectives to pounding beats. Any reason? Certainly! Somebody whose grand-uncle's niece knows the Governor's fourth secretary is out for blood.. . . . Number five--raked over the Police School and changed the rules. And I know he has his eagle eye on my pet Homicide Squad. . . . '

'You'll burst a blood vessel,' said Cronin.

'You haven't heqrd anything yet' said the Inspector grimly. 'Every first-grade detective must now make out a daily report--in line of duty, mind you--a daily personal report direct to the Commissioner's office!'

'Well,' grinned Cronin, 'he's welcome to read 'em all. Half those babies can't spell homicide.'

'Read them nothing, Tim. Do you think he'd waste his time? Not by your Aunt Martha. No, sir! He sends them into my office by his shiny little secretary...."