Random police/detective question

thatpfunk · #1 12-14-2005, 05:47 PM

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)

#2 12-14-2005, 05:51 PM

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."

thatpfunk · #3 12-14-2005, 05:58 PM

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?

#4 12-14-2005, 06:01 PM

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.

#5 12-14-2005, 06:06 PM

[ 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.

offTopic · #6 12-14-2005, 06:16 PM

[ 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 ]

#7 12-14-2005, 06:19 PM

Um, I'm pretty sure it's called a statue of limitations.

lolllllllllll this forum sucks

#8 12-14-2005, 06:22 PM

youtalkfunny · #9 12-14-2005, 10:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

Sam looks more like an owl than the owl does.

If I'm ever casting a film, and need someone to play the owl, Sam's agent is getting the first phone call.

MonkeeMan · #10 12-14-2005, 06:01 PM

[ 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.