Murder Mystery Shows

911

911

Well-known Member
Location
USA
I watch a lot of murder mystery types of shows on TV now that I am retired. I like watching how other police solve their crimes. However, I notice that a lot of police address their audience like they are real crime sleuths.

What they never tell anyone is the number of cold cases that they have sitting on their shelf. I just received a bi-monthly newsletter from the FBI that a lot of police receive. In this month’s issue, I read that there are more unsolved major crime cases than there are solved cases. In fact, the numbers aren’t even close.

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate every case that gets solved and the bad guy gets taken off the streets. I think the issue here is that no one wants to see the bad guy get away. Most everyone wants to see the bad guy get sent away. If there were shows on TV that were about people who got away with crimes, would anyone watch? Probably unlikely.
 

I've been learning of these facts a lot lately, quit chilling. I watched a couple of shows about the unsolved cases, but, I just couldn't stand to anymore, I know they have quite a few of them on Netflix and Amazon Prime. When I know the cases aren't going to be resolved, I feel bad for those family members and friends who don't get closure, but then I too end up feeling like I have an empty space not knowing what happened to those people and a sadness engulfs me more so than when I've at least seen a case resolved. None leave me feeling pleased after, but, knowing someone got away with it is just too much to take.
 
911 said:
What they never tell anyone is the number of cold cases that they have sitting on their shelf. I just received a bi-monthly newsletter from the FBI that a lot of police receive. In this month’s issue, I read that there are more unsolved major crime cases than there are solved cases. In fact, the numbers aren’t even close. .
Click to expand...

The Sad truth is that in most categories, a large percentage of the crimes are not even reported. In the more severe cases...murder, etc., less than 2/3rd's are ever solved. But, given that a major number of murders occur in the inner cities, and are drug/gang related, with little cooperation given to the police, it's easy to see why that number is so low.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...t-and-property-crimes-in-the-u-s-go-unsolved/
 

I agree with all the above......I watch the unsolved cases too along with lots of true crime, detective and murder mysteries and the made-for-tv shows since I retired.....48 hours I like more than the 'first 48'....it moves too slowly for me, hehe....
 
I tend to watch/like Forensic Files and 48 Hours . Local tv just pulled ID/Discovery and Ovation which had a lot of crime tv. Dateline shows a lot of interesting cases but they over stretch them or worry more about the dramatic narrative sometimes.

Too many have been brainwashed by decades of fictional crime tv drama where there is a murder in the first 5 minutes and it's solved in the last five. Also if the evening news reports an arrest they don't always go into the details leading into it. The viewer just sees 'an arrest'.

I just saw a similar stat that the clearance rate for murders has dropped to approximately 60%. And those stats include murders that involved an arrest, not necessarily a guilty verdict.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/msn/...e-rate-a-brewing-national-disaster/ar-BBLJMtE


Also making higher clearance rates a higher priority is a double edged sword. True many cases would be reopened or not forgotten but other cases and those involved might do 'anything' to solve or clear the case for statistical reasons. Find out what happened and guilty party should be the priority. Not clearance rates.
 
I used to watch the first 48 hours and similar fare but now if I do, I might watch just the first and last 15 minutes, all he filler stuff just muddies the water for me about who's really guilty of what.

Some shows I really like/d The first is a returning series


 
I'm a fan of such shows and would probably watch a show geared towards unsolved crimes.

I'm fascinated by some of the online amateur detectives that have groups devoted to solving specific cold cases.

Many, many years ago a NYS BCI Detective told me that the reason most cold case criminals get caught is that they can't keep their mouths shut, can't resist sharing details, or taking credit for the perfect crime.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I'm a fan of such shows and would probably watch a show geared towards unsolved crimes.

I'm fascinated by some of the online amateur detectives that have groups devoted to solving specific cold cases.

Many, many years ago a NYS BCI Detective told me that the reason most cold case criminals get caught is that they can't keep their mouths shut, can't resist sharing details, or taking credit for the perfect crime.
Click to expand...

Yep, took I know there was a show I watched not too long ago on Netflix show titled "Evil Genius", I believe they solved it by loose lips, definitely not because the criminals were genius and many investigating the case weren't the brightest; they missed a lot of obvious clues.

 
.

I watch the true crime drama ID/Discovery channel and also Forensic Files on another channel.
One major thing I have discovered is this... after all the time and effort to take a murderer to
trial and conviction... there is no true justice because the punishment does not fit the crime.
Murderers are allowed to plea bargain to avoid the death penalty and instead get life in prison.
Many murderers get much less prison time and are back on the streets committing more crimes.
Same with other violent criminals... child abductors, rapists, etc. When a child is abducted or
a woman is raped, one of the first places the police look for suspects is a list of released from prison
sex offenders living in the victim's neighborhood. Many years ago there was a case in Texas where
a pervert abducted a little boy and held him for many years as a sex slave. After the vile criminal
was caught and convicted... he served less time in prison than the little boy suffered as his victim.
If I were queen, the criminal pervert would have been executed.
 
I watch Investigation Discovery Channel and a lot of mysteries on OWN. One show where the crime is never solved is called "Disappeared" and it always bothers me that the person just seemed to disappear into thin air and no trace of them is ever found. I also like "See No Evil" where the crime is solved by accessing various closed-circuit cameras around the cities and in businesses.

I don't particularly care for the real detective type shows like Joe Kenda, though. That gets old pretty fast.
 
Unless it’s a mass shooting, the victim normally knew his killer. Usually, it’s someone who was close to the victim. It is a fact that there are more unsolved crimes than solved crimes. There are reasons as to why defendants are allowed to plea bargain. One reason is if the prosecutor is afraid that he doesn’t have enough evidence to convict, he is more apt to try to make a deal. OTOH, if the killer is afraid that the prosecutor may have enough evidence to get a conviction and the case is being tried in a state where the death penalty is still allowed, the defendant may try to cut a deal to plead guilty, if the prosecutor takes the death penalty off the table. The other reason is that in states where the death penalty is not allowed, the defendant may try to get a reduced sentence, if he/she pleads guilty and has a chance at parole. In the long run, it can save the taxpayer a lot of money by avoiding a lengthy trial, if a deal from either side is made.

Lastly, keep in mind that the prosecutor only gets one bite at the apple. If only one juror votes “not guilty” the jury can be hung and the prosecutor has to try the defendant all over again. If all 12 jurors believe that the defense raised reasonable doubt, the defendant walks forever.
 
Netflix has a wealth of crime/detective shows from countries other than America. Camper6 mentioned Murdoch Mysteries. A unique series that is interesting because of the time frame used. Several series based in the UK are really well done. I'm two seasons into Midsomer Murders and find myself wishing I could move to the countryside where the stories take place.

Broadchurch, Luther, Hinterland, Sherlock , Marple, Poirot, Lewis, Morse, Foyle's War are the ones I've watched. Sherlock is best when Ben. Cumberbatch is the lead actor.
 
911 said:
Unless it’s a mass shooting, the victim normally knew his killer
Click to expand...


Good reason to be a loner.



911 said:
There are reasons as to why defendants are allowed to plea bargain. One reason is if the prosecutor is afraid that he doesn’t have enough evidence to convict, he is more apt to try to make a deal. OTOH, if the killer is afraid that the prosecutor may have enough evidence to get a conviction and the case is being tried in a state where the death penalty is still allowed, the defendant may try to cut a deal to plead guilty, if the prosecutor takes the death penalty off the table. The other reason is that in states where the death penalty is not allowed, the defendant may try to get a reduced sentence, if he/she pleads guilty and has a chance at parole. In the long run, it can save the taxpayer a lot of money by avoiding a lengthy trial, if a deal from either side is made.
Click to expand...


In the long run... violent criminals who should have been executed get out of jail early to commit more violent crimes.
 
This is a little off topic but did you ever notice how some shows and movies make you wish the bad guy does get away? The way the show or movie is presented makes you forget what a low life some of these characters really were. I remember when I was a kid watching Willie Sutton. I thought the guy was a genius. Jessie James was another one I felt sorry for. Sometimes mob members come across as likable characters. Remember the Soprano series, and Boardwalk empire? Some pretty likable guys in those series as well.
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
This is a little off topic but did you ever notice how some shows and movies make you wish the bad guy does get away? The way the show or movie is presented makes you forget what a low life some of these characters really were. I remember when I was a kid watching Willie Sutton. I thought the guy was a genius. Jessie James was another one I felt sorry for. Sometimes mob members come across as likable characters. Remember the Soprano series, and Boardwalk empire? Some pretty likable guys in those series as well.
Click to expand...

Yes. I was a huge fan of The Sopranos; also loved Dexter. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top