In the tradition of , Warner Bros's offers a methodical, semi-documentary look at modern law-enforcement methods. The story concentrates on the investigation of a single murder. The victim, seemingly respectable, was actually a vicious blackmailer, a fact that brings several shady supporting characters into the story. Chief detective Stevens (George Brent) divides half his time to the tedium of police procedure and forensic work, and the other half to his romance with Lou Ann Winton (Margaret Lindsay), who may or may not be mixed up in the murder. Dorothy Burgess delivers a chillingly convincing performance as a cocaine addict, while comedian (and home-movie enthusiast) Ken Murray is equally effective as a snide reporter.