Introduction -- Investigating detection: methods of detection in American detective dramas -- Defining detection: the detective genre -- Telling detection: the narrative structures of American TV detective dramas -- Stabilising detection: protecting and serving the status quo from 1950-1968 -- Reforming detection: social change and political corruption from 1968-1980 -- Diversifying detection: proliferation of channels and television cycles from 1980-2000 -- Disillusioned detection: DNA and 9/11 from 2000-2010 -- Rethinking detection: alternative methods of detection -- Conclusion -- Appendix.