The main focus of this paper is to examine the extent to which Case Investigators (who are not warranted police officers) can be conceived as operating a junior partner role to warranted police detectives within the criminal investigation process. The paper presents preliminary findings obtained through interviews and observation carried out within two police forces in England and Wales. It concludes that disputes over the title and role of ‘detective’ are likely in the coming years, the result of which may see the private sector adopt a more formalised, integrated position within late modern criminal investigation.