ABSTRACT
It is a familiar scene-the television detective sits at his paper-strewn
desk, tie askew and head in hands, bemoaning the fact that he has no sus-
pects in his murder case. In reality, however, the investigation of most
“whodunit” crimes involves the exact opposite problem-too many suspects. This is somewhat unexpected but follows from the nature of the investiga-
tive process. The majority of homicide victims are killed by someone they
have a relationship with. So the police detective typically works outward from
the victim, looking at family members, friends, business associates, neigh-
bors, and so forth.
