Crossword Genius

Mêlée cut short small investigation (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scrutiny

'investigation' is the definition.
(I know that scrutiny is a type of investigation)

'melee cut short small' is the wordplay.
'melee' becomes 'scrum' (both can mean a group of people fighting).
'cut short' means to remove the last letter.
'small' becomes 'tiny' (similar in meaning).
'scrum' with its final letter removed is 'scru'.
'scru'+'tiny'='SCRUTINY'

(Other definitions for scrutiny that I've seen before include "City runs (anag.)" , "Critical examination" , "From close inspection" , "Close investigation" , "Intense study" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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