Burke and Hare murders doctors, the Burkes and Hares were charged with murder. As part of his investigation Christison interviewed Knox, who asserted that Burke and Hare had watched poor lodging houses in Edinburgh and purchased bodies before anyone claimed them for burial. Christison thought Knox was "deficient in principle and heart", but did not think he had broken the law. Although the police were sure murder had taken place, and that at least one of the four was guilty, they were uncertain whether they could secure a conviction. Police also suspected there had been other murders committed, but the lack of bodies hampered
North-West Mounted Police in the Canadian north 1913 at Port Nelson, where the police established their divisional HQ. Patrols up into Baker Lake and Coppermine River in 1915-16. Indians in the north typically had prior experience of Europeans, and there was little conflict between the police and the native population. Police were not popular with the Indians, and often blamed for government policies. Few crimes committed. Police got on much better with Inuit, who had less experience of Europeans, and took a liberal attitude towards them. Again, few crimes committed; informal justice (making up laws) used with Inuit. North-West Mounted Police in the Canadian north The history