dt cryptic

[sarumite]

Stuck in one corner, perhaps if you are able to help with the following I will be able to move on.
25a Current detectives back in control show up (8).
I have -i-i-e-e but think at least one of these letters must be wrong.
many thanks

[crofter]

Ridicule

[crofter]

Reasoning: I (Current)+DIC (CID<<<) all inside RULE

[sarumite]

Many thanks crofter, .......... having an 'e' where it should have been the letter 'u' was not an intentional decoy, and it obviously didn't adversely affect your logic.

[crofter]

My pleasure sarumite. The clue suggests something of the form ?IDIC??? and once you discount REIN for "control" - there are not many options left!

It was a nice touch for you to suggest that there may be an error in the letters on offer!

[snichs]

crofter or saramite - please explain to novice why "current" is "I" - i was muddling around with ac or dc.
Also - help pls with 13d which is Tom, Dick or Harry?(10)
?i?i?????? can only think in terms of tunnels (ww2?) which are taking me nowhere. snichs

[crofter]

snichs It's a convention used in Physics.
The three most basic units in electricity are voltage (V), current (I) and resistance (r). Voltage is measured in volts, current is measured in amps and resistance in ohms.

I began thinking about AC/DC but got nowhere!

[crofter]

snichs. What about DIMINUTIVE, since your three names are SHORT for Thomas, Richard and Harold?

[sarumite]

Yes 13d is diminutive, sorry Snichs for delayed response but have to admit to watching countdown for the past 45 minutes!!

[snichs]

thanks so much sarumite/crofter - almost tempted to give up and go back to tapestry but actually think i am already addicted to cryptic - snichs