Random police/detective question
 

Does anyone know how long the police will investigate a murder that lacks evidence before deeming the case unsolved?

Hypothetical: A drug deal gone wrong, it leaves two or three of the memebers of the exchange dead. Let's assume small/medium time dealers so there is no previous investigation, etc. The police have no "clues". How long until they tell the family members, "sorry, but we are no longer going to be investigating this murder..."

Thanks.
(The reasoning behind this question is completely uninteresting so please don't get excited)

Re: Random police/detective question
 

It is rare that the police will ever declare a homicide case unsolved. Cases may go "inactive" when leads dry up. Many large departments have task forces or other units that will routinely re-visit these cases to see if there are any new leads. I don't see anyone ever telling a victim's family "We are giving up."

Re: Random police/detective question
 

If there are absolutely no clues then I don't know what the police can possibly do. Pretend they're solving the case for a while and then quietly put it away? I'm no expert on the matter, but it seems like the case could only stay open for so long without any evidence at all.

Re: Random police/detective question
 

Ok, well how long until inactive?

Basically, if one was to commit murder (in a situation similar to the hypothetical that i described) how long would it be until the murderer could breathe a sigh relief, somewhat confident that they covered their ass enough so the police most likely do not have anything to connect him to the crime?

Re: Random police/detective question
 

I wanna say 7 years I think? I'm not positive, but i believe the Statute of Limitations prohibits any charges being brought on people for a crime committed 7 years before. But you can check me on that.

Re: Random police/detective question
 

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, well how long until inactive?

Basically, if one was to commit murder (in a situation similar to the hypothetical that i described) how long would it be until the murderer could breathe a sigh relief, somewhat confident that they covered their ass enough so the police most likely do not have anything to connect him to the crime?

[/ QUOTE ]

No statute of limitations on murder and surely you've seen shows on TV involving cold cases, so they can never relax.

Re: Random police/detective question
 

Yeah, they are called cold cases. Minor crimes (like misdemeanors) have statute of limitations but the more violent major crimes (murder, rape, etc) do not.

I'm not sure if there is an exact set time period before a case is considered cold. Each case is unique so it may vary depending on the case and the amount of evidence orpossible suspects at the detectives disposal.

I would think if there is a set time period it would even vary by police department.

Re: Random police/detective question
 

Depends how many times John Walsh profiles the crime. The killer should immediately flee to either South America or a south Seas Seas island (preferably one with topless natives) depending on what you, I mean he, can afford.

Re: Random police/detective question
 

[ QUOTE ]
I wanna say 7 years I think? I'm not positive, but i believe the Statute of Limitations prohibits any charges being brought on people for a crime committed 7 years before. But you can check me on that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not in a murder. Homicide does not have a Statute of Limitations. You kill, you can go to jail at any time in your life.

Re: Random police/detective question
 

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, well how long until inactive?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is again depedent on the number of leads the police have. Even in your "no clues" scenario (which is very unlikely), there are still quite a few compulsory investigative procedures that are followed in a homicide. These can take up to 6-months or a year to resolve depending on the number of investigators and the resources of the department/agency.

As far as when the perpetrator can give a "sigh of relief" goes - I would say never. Sometimes letting a case go inactive can allow new leads to pop up solely because it hasn't been receiving a lot of attention.