The quote highlights the irony of a detective's role, underscoring the idea that the character is not actively solving mysteries but rather encountering problems that are already complex and unsolved. It suggests a sense of frustration and futility in his profession, where he receives cases that are damaged and require more than just investigative skills to understand and resolve.

This reflects a broader theme in Jodi Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes," where the characters often grapple with issues that are beyond their control. The detective symbolizes the struggle against circumstances that seem insurmountable, confronting the emotional weight of situations that demand deeper insight and resolution than mere detection can provide.