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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11343-Destroying-evidence.html
Mystery: May 04, 2022 Issue [#11343]




 This week: Destroying evidence
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Quote for the week:
"Mystery spread its cloak across the sky.
We lost our way.
Shadows fell from trees.
They knew why."

From "House of Four Doors" by the Moody Blues


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Collecting evidence is one of the most important parts of criminal investigation. Without strong evidence, it is quite difficult to catch a criminal, let alone make sure a guilty person is convicted. The detective's job is even more difficult when someone suppresses or destroys evidence, either by accident or on purpose.

Evidence might be destroyed accidentally by the people who first discover a crime. When an injured person is discovered, the first priority is to help the victim. The average member of the public who comes upon the scene of a murder, robbery, or other crime is likely to be in a state of shock, and preservation of evidence might not even cross their mind. A sexual assault victim might inadvertently destroy evidence by showering, bathing, or washing their clothes before they go to the authorities.

There can be many reasons that a person might deliberately destroy or hide evidence. The most obvious reason might be that they committed the crime themselves and don't wish to be caught. An innocent person might be afraid that they or someone they care about will be accused of the crime.

Even if someone has deliberately tried to destroy evidence, skilled investigators might still be able to find it. Luminol is a chemical that is used to detect traces of blood at crime scenes, because it reacts with the iron in hemoglobin. It can detect small traces of blood even after someone has attempted to clean them up. Many people have lied about their whereabouts at the time of a crime only to be proven wrong by security camera images, toll road records, or eyewitness testimony.

Many real life criminals are not as smart as they think they are, and are likely to be caught in their efforts to destroy evidence. However, mystery stories are boring if the criminal is too easy to catch. If concealing or destroying evidence are an important part of your story, make sure your villain's lies are not too easy to figure out.

Something to try: Write a mystery story that involves someone suppressing or destroying evidence.


Editor's Picks

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#2268649 by Not Available.


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The Rat Open in new Window. (E)
Sometimes things are not what they seem. (~1095 words.)
#2235956 by Nightkeeper Author IconMail Icon


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#2266720 by Not Available.


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Socked In Open in new Window. (13+)
Things can hide in plain sight. It might be dangerous to find them.
#2255313 by Graywriter Author IconMail Icon


Wherever You Go Open in new Window. (13+)
A man recalls the memories of a far-off summer when he met someone he would never forget
#1690839 by Josh T. Alto Author IconMail Icon

 
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