Detective Genre Based on How Sherlock Solves Cases - Literature review Example

Detective Genre based on how Sherlock Solves Cases The of this paper delves into how a professional detective made brilliant deductions. A specific focus goes to how Sherlock Holmes solved crimes using deduction, observation, and knowledge. Solving a problem is detective work. The process of searching for the main causes is similar to tracking down perpetrators of crime actions. The perspective applied by Sherlock remains insightful to date. In this situation, the analyst makes guesses first before conducting research. The next step becomes ascertaining the guesses. This is carrying out investigations in a wrong way. It is essential to make simple observations because in such a process, the case puts itself forth. This approach helps the researcher identify the root causes analytically through backward reasoning then, hypothesis comes in automatically. The current methods of searching for criminals and identifying root causes of a criminal act are different from what was the norm more than one and a half centuries ago (Conan, 2010, 41). Today, the police have various methods of investigating the problem. Many years ago techniques applied by the police after receiving information were primitive. Nobody understood that finger prints were unique to each person. Therefore, the police could not use finger prints as infallible ways of identifying people. Scholars later brought forth the phrenology theory of scientific deduction. This theory held that it was possible to isolate a criminal from the shape of the bumps on his or her head. This technique was queer in the sense that it only applied and condemned unlucky fellows to prison. Sherlock Holmes, a consulting detective found the going tough in these circumstances because the alternatives to apply remained limited (Wimberley, 1989, 212). Arthur Canon Doyle takes time to discuss how Sherlock Holmes took and managed this difficult task in his fifty-six anthologies and four novels. Doyle writes of Sherlock that he was already a trained chemist by the time he turned twenty years. In his early twenties, the chemist invented a method applicable in identifying and detecting small traces and components of blood. This was important because it played a bigger role in preventing unnecessary and unwarranted arrests. This included an innocent fellow just because there is mud on his shirt or has bruises from a physical exercise or works on the farm. Additionally, Doyle says that Sherlock a broad knowledge that he likens to an encyclopedia that gave him more knowledge on trivial things. The chemist had the capacity to isolate one hundred and forty different types of cigar on an ashtray. The value of this on investigation was that in the unlikely event that the culprit died and ash found anywhere on his clothes, then it would help nail the suspect. The prowess of Sherlock appeared in his ability to evaluate minute things with excerpts of evidence appearing insignificant and applying them in making conclusions. This feature follows the path of observation, deduction, and knowledge. Sherlock sees a venue where a hidden door originally opened where a police officer will see a torn piece of carpet. Other private detectives would see a half-eaten apple thrown in the grass or dustbin, Sherlock Holmes will see the marks of the teeth of the eater giving impression that it is easy to identify the criminal. Other scholars among them Watson hold that detection remains an actual science since its inception and that is not bound to change soon (Conan, 2013, 12). Present investigators must treat detection in the same old way and unemotional manner applied during the time it started existing. Through this it is clear to note that Sherlock considers detection a science. He undertakes detective work without emotional impairment and this leaves his logic and reason intact throughout detective work. Sherlock Holmes puts a lot emphasis on analytical reasoning from influences to causes. An ideal detective requires three qualities. Deductively, the most important thing is solving a problem by reasoning in the backward direction. This appears the easiest and very useful achievement (Siegfried, 1993, 282). However, it is the least practiced by people. Frequent forward thinking by people in daily lives makes the backward thinking a rare occurrence. Most people reason synthetically as opposed to the few who think analytically. In terms of representation the ratio could fifty to one. Divergent thinking applies in synthetic thoughts, a common occurrence in everyday life. This type of reasoning takes the path of cause through to influence. Through this, the investigator develops various solutions before choosing on the most appropriate. Synthetic thinking is only applicable once the researcher establishes the root causes of a problem and the most important thing it results in is generating various likely alternatives. However, it is important to make it clear that the method cannot apply in the circumstances where the investigator seeks to find the root causes. It is effective in situations where the main causes exist and the most relevant issue is exploring them. The approach in many ways uses guessing as opposed to systematic search processes. On the other hand, analytical thoughts put into practice reasoning that takes the backward path and this, is convergent thinking (Stone, 1982, 311). The approach is superior in terms of isolating main causes since it results into total solutions. This technique was common with Sherlock Holmes. The methodology starts with observation, deduction, and then knowledge. With the help of this method, many people continue to become experts in conflict resolution. In this perspective, the researcher approaches an issue without presumptions. This method leaves logic and reason without interferences from emotions. Investigators do not develop any theories, they observe, deduct that entails a process of drawing conclusions from observed information, and use the same to develop knowledge. It is a grave mistake for a researcher to theorize before getting information (Conan, 2013, 19). Doyle documents about Sherlock that he was already a trained chemist by the time he turned twenty years. In his early twenties, the chemist invented a method applicable in identifying and detecting small traces and components of blood. This was important because it played a bigger role in preventing unnecessary and unwarranted arrests. This included an innocent fellow just because there is mud on his shirt or has bruises from a physical exercise or works on the farm. Additionally, Doyle says that Sherlock a broad knowledge that he likens to an encyclopedia that gave him more knowledge on trivial things (Palmer, 2013, 12). The chemist had the capacity to isolate one hundred and forty different types of cigar on an ashtray. Theories ought to suit factors as opposed to facts twisting to fit into theories determined before the study. Incidentally, this is the greatest weakness posed by forward reasoning that defines synthetic thoughts. In this context, the analyst makes guesses first before conducting research. The next step becomes ascertaining the guesses. This is carrying out investigations in a wrong way. It is essential to make simple observations because in such a process, the case puts itself forth. This approach helps the researcher identify the root causes analytically through backward reasoning then, hypothesis comes in automatically. The facts support the assertion that detection being an actual science should remain the same and scholars ought to treat them in the same manner. The facts caution against using guesswork and speculation while handling a problem. Similarly, it is necessary to keep emotions out of investigative work. The researcher must resist the temptation to let feelings and emotions interfere with investigations. This is when information plays the crucial role of revealing the solutions. These facts demonstrate that Sherlock considers detection a science. He undertakes detective work without emotional impairment and this leaves his logic and reason intact throughout detective work. Sherlock Holmes puts a lot emphasis on analytical reasoning from influences to causes (Conan, 2013, 31). Solving cases using the Sherlock Holmes’ methodology is a feature that follows the path of observation, deduction, and knowledge. Sherlock sees a venue where a hidden door originally opened where a police officer will see a torn piece of carpet (Bird, 2010, 111). The art of detection holds the process of appreciating and embracing the number of facts appearing incidental different from important facts the epitome of the approach. Likely causes of a problem could run into thousands. However, few either three or two could ascertain and apportion responsibility. Observation, deduction, and knowledge proposed by Sherlock Holmes is the simplest tool applicable in eliminating unnecessary information leaving hard facts intact. Works Cited Bird, Charles. Continued adventures in open access: 2009 perspective, Learned Publishing, 23(2), 107-116. 2010. Conan, Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2013. Print. Palmer, Carole L. The Research Work of Interdisciplinary Humanities Scholars: Exploration and Translation. Library Quarterly, 2013. Siegfried, Susan. Journal of the American Society for Information Science 44 (June): 273-91. 1993. Print. Stone, Sue. Humanities Scholars: Information Needs and Uses. Journal of Documentation 38 (December): 292-313. 1982. Print. Wimberley, Stephen. Patterns of Information Seeking in the Humanities. College and Research Libraries 50 (November): 638-45. 1989. Read More