Expert Opinion

[Hermes777]

Experts are people you consult

In practice, in my opinion, serious researchers usually investigate details (individual aspects) of the VMS without asking overarching (meta-) questions. The generalists, on the other hand, often come up with a ready-made "solution" and only look for confirmation. Rarely are experts consulted in advance to check whether their own theories stand up to critical scrutiny or not. I would call such things "island solutions". Unfortunately, the quality is often rather low as a result. However, it is also possible that sometimes there is a lack of networking, i.e. the generalist does not know which experts to consult. A detective has an easier time of it. He can simply access existing structures.

Generalists should not come up with ready-made solutions and only look for confirmation. Instead, their task is to survey the data, consult as necessary, reflect, revise, stay rigorously objective and unattached, and seek a scenario that best fits the totality of the data and constitutes a case that is, in the best of possible worlds, beyond reasonable doubt. 

You try different scenarios, just as you draw up a list of suspects. 

But as you say, a detective has an easier time of it just by the nature of the case.