How to Solve a Crime

It takes years of education to become a professional crime solver, or forensic scientist. But did you know that you can be an amateur crime solver? Police enlist the help of average citizens to help them solve even the trickiest of crimes. Here are ways you can help keep our streets safer by helping to solve a crime.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Join a crime stoppers organization, a group of concerned citizens who raise funds to reward persons who offer valuable information. Call your local police department for more information.
2. Call a crime stoppers hotline anonymously if you have a tip. If your tip is considered valuable information to law enforcement, you may be rewarded with a cash prize from the organization.
3. Scan the newspaper every day for clues to local crimes. Details of crimes may take a while to come out, so look for subsequent articles following a big crime story. Look for related stories or associations as well on the Internet.
4. Think about potential suspects when you're researching an unsolved crime. Who has a plausible alibi? Who isn't talking and why? In your mind, who is the most likely suspect and why? What could be the motive?
5. Watch "America's Most Wanted" for details on unsolved murders nationwide. Check out their website for a map listing unsolved crimes in your area.
6. Remember that someone needs to be the eyes and ears for your community. If you witness a crime or just want to report suspicious activity, it is your civic duty to contact the police with your information.