Autocracy and political investigation are two historical institutions that are closely related to each other. The purpose of the investigation was primarily to protect the monarch and suppress not only the political opposition, but also the slightest doubts of the subjects about the legality of the actions of the supreme power. All autocrats and autocrats of the 18th century were involved in political investigation: they opened cases, participated in interrogations, and passed sentences. The book examines the system of state (political) crimes, the evolution of political investigation bodies and detective practice: denunciation, arrest, interrogation, investigation, torture, sentencing, execution or exile. The reader will be able to observe how the self-awareness of Russian society manifested itself during the 18th century, what its aspirations were and how the state responded to them by changing criminal legislation. Evgeniy Anisimov is a Doctor of Historical Sciences, professor and scientific director of the Department of History of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (St. Petersburg branch ), professor at the European University in St. Petersburg, chief researcher at the St. Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Author of several hundred scientific publications.