With unprecedented and unvarnished access to Hampshire Constabulary, a typical large provincial police force in the grip of profound change, this three-part series follows the investigation of major crimes.
A murder investigation starts with a body burnt beyond recognition but with no clues to the identity of killer or victim. An arson attack consumes a Portsmouth block of flats and destroys evidence of who set the fire. And a rape case is her word against his, with not much evidence to go on: all too often this has meant that the male party gets off, but can a new pilot scheme improve the conviction rate?
These crimes aren't unique to Hampshire; they're replicated in every incident room in the country.
As Hampshire police struggle to follow the evidence - or lack of it - BAFTA winning director Patrick Forbes follows this tightrope walk of triumph and disaster, which exposes the fragility of the system that too often leaves cases unresolved and without justice realised.
Genre: Documentary