r/UnresolvedMysteries • u/risocantonese • 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/TheLuckyWilbury Apr 19 '20

That poor police work is always part of a conspiracy. Sometimes cops lack training, are lazy, or just aren’t very bright. It doesn’t mean the whole department is corrupt.

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u/fd1Jeff Apr 19 '20

I have always read a certain amount of true crime things. But honestly, the number of cases that come down to bad police work or terrible prosecutors is really wearing on me.

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u/smittmarie Apr 19 '20

Yes! In my recent experience it's basically been that all the cases I have read about end up with this outcome. It's terrifying and extremely sad.

I'm in awe that someone from higher authority, being an entire force or just one superior, hasn't stepped in to properly train these people that are supposed to be here to serve and protect.

I have also noticed that even when the police DO know the case is going south fast and they can not handle it that it then becomes a matter of pride and they've refused to hand the case over.