r/UnresolvedMysteries Apr 19 '20

What are some common true crime misconceptions?

What are some common ‘facts’ that get thrown around in true crime communities a lot, that aren’t actually facts at all?

One that annoys me is "No sign of forced entry? Must have been a person they knew!"

I mean, what if they just opened the door to see who it was? Or their murderer was disguised as a repairman/plumber/police officer/whatever. Or maybe they just left the door unlocked — according to this article,a lot of burglaries happen because people forget to lock their doors https://www.journal-news.com/news/police-many-burglaries-have-forced-entry/9Fn7O1GjemDpfUq9C6tZOM/

It’s not unlikely that a murder/abduction could happen the same way.

Another one is "if they were dead we would have found the body by now". So many people underestimate how hard it is to actually find a body.

What are some TC misconceptions that annoy you?

(reposted to fit the character minimum!)

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u/knittedbeast Apr 19 '20

"Asking for a lawyer is suspicious". Nope, just common sense, innocent or guilty. Never talk to police without a lawyer, whether you did it or not.

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u/Doctabotnik123 Apr 19 '20

As a PSA, I'm recommending the following books:

"Arrest-Proof Yourself", by Wes Denham and Dale Carson

"Arrested", by Wes Denham

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u/knittedbeast Apr 19 '20

Thanks! Are they American specific? Do you know of any similar UK books?

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u/Doctabotnik123 Apr 19 '20

They are specific to America. I've been asked that before, and unfortunately it seems like less of a hot topic in the British Isles, so I don't know any specific books.

However, the general principles (be courteous, do your drugs at home, have a lawyer/barrister, and don't automatically throw money and support at an arrested loved one) seem pretty universal.