What is the Most Difficult Crime to Solve? Hint: It is Not Murder
The most difficult crimes for law enforcement to solve are random crimes. These crimes are perpetrated again strangers and a clear cut motivate to why the victim was chosen isn’t evident.
Although there are deranged individuals that kill strangers, it is far from the norm. Most murders are committed against people that the killer knew. For instance, when someone is found dead, the first people investigators want to talk to, and consider primary suspects, are the person’s family, more specially the spouse or significant other.
Evidence
Depending on how the victim was killed, a crime scene has many clues to help investigators generate leads that can point to or convict a suspect.
If a person was shot, bullets, shell casings, trajectory and blood splatter tell a story and give detective information such as the type of weapon used, the number of shots and where the killer was in relation to the victim. Bullets can even hold the fingerprints of the person that loaded the gun.
Stabbing deaths also hold a multitude of evidence. Sometimes the killer is cut and leaves their blood behind. Fingerprints or shoeprints of the killer in the victim’s blood are extremely difficult to explain away.
If a struggle ensued, DNA evidence can be collected from underneath the victim’s fingernails. During a physical altercation, fibers or hairs from the murder can be left at the crime scene or on the victim’s body. Defense wounds can also paint a picture of how the murder was committed.
Time of Death
During an autopsy, medical examiners can determine the time of death, which makes having an alibi difficult to fake.
Motive
In most murder cases, the killer had a strong motive to kill the victim. Financial gains are one of the most prevalent and include collection of life insurance or inheritance. Jealously and rage are two other common motives.
Witnesses
Gunshots, blood and screams from the victim bring attention to the crime and increase the likeliness of witnesses.
What is the most difficult crime to solve?
Burglaries, or robberies, are the crimes that most often go unsolved and leave investigators asking, “Who done it?” These crimes usually don’t have a clear-cut motive that makes the victim’s identity relevant and less evidence is left at the crime scene.
A smart burglar will wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. He is unlikely to leave blood or DNA at the crime scene and, if there is no one at the residence, it is probable that there will be no witnesses.
Without witnesses, it is difficult to determine when a robbery has taken place and it is easier to have a viable alibi.
Homeowners can guard against these crimes by using heavy-duty locks, including deadbolts and installing alarms. Using ample outdoor lighting and cutting bushes close to the home below window level are all techniques that discourage buglers.
If you kill someone and are brought to trial, there are different classifications of murder you can be changed with by the prosecution. These include first degree murder, capitol murder, second degree murder and manslaughter. Depending on the murder charge, the prosecution and jury have different guidelines to follow in order to prove your guilt and what punishment to impose.