Today I'd like to write about what I've learned while watching several murder mysteries such as Columbo, Monk, Psych, Murder She Wrote, etc.
Did you know you can use an electric blanket to keep the body warm and throw the coroner off on the time of death?
Be careful how you try to make a place look like a burglary took place. The total ransacking of the place is going overboard. Just take a few of the valuables so it looks like a simple robbery gone bad.
When breaking and entering try to make sure any broken glass goes inward so it looks like that's how you made entry.
Being overly helpful to the detective will only get your lie caught sooner.
Always be consistent with your alibi by keeping it short and simple. The more elaborate the lie, the harder it will be to keep your story straight and will trip you up every time.
Never tell your potential murderer that you're going to call the police and 'spill the beans'. The only things getting spilled will be your blood.
Be careful with your weapon of choice. Guns are noisy unless you've gotten a silencer that can't be traced back to you.
Always bring your own knife. A good detective will notice when a knife is missing in the kitchen even if he's never stepped foot in the house before.
Make sure you buy your burglary equipment years before you plan your caper, just in case, otherwise they'll find the receipt and the big box store will narc you out.
Make sure you attend a large party and make it a point to say hello to everyone. That way when questioned, the partygoers will make a point of saying you were there.
While at the party, make a point of acting like your watch is running slow by asking people the time so they can see you checking your watch and help establish a rock-solid time when they are questioned.
Make sure your tires are very run-of-the-mill and not unique, so they're not so easily traced back to you. Foreign cars are always spotted quickly.
If you drive through any mud while leaving the scene of the crime, make sure to wash your car before you go home. Mud from the tires can place you at the scene.
Wear quiet shoes with indistinct soles otherwise, someone will probably hear you running, and the police will make a plaster cast of the shoe prints.
If you're an accomplice don't get greedy or mouthy to the one who planned the caper. They'll do away with you in a heartbeat. Covering up two crimes is as simple as one.
If you're the 'brains' murdering your accomplice is a bad idea. Someone will miss them and point the finger at you.
Do not plan anything that is out of the ordinary from your routine. If you never frequent a certain place don't go there to commit a crime. You'll stand out like a sore thumb and be fingered by all the locals.
Don't get cocky with the investigators but don't be overly helpful either. Try to fly under the radar while they chase other suspects. Throwing a few red herrings can buy you a little time while you plan your getaway.
Always wear gloves that can be bought just about everywhere but do not use the disposable kind. According to one of the shows I watch, fingerprints can be lifted from inside latex gloves. How they keep from smearing them, I haven't figured out. In a pinch, pencil shavings can be used to lift prints.
Make sure you jimmy a lock/window/door from the outside. They can always tell if the scratch marks run the wrong way.
Make sure you move nothing that can be spotted as out of place on a security camera.
Better still, try to set up your crime where there are no cameras.
It pays to put a lot of time and effort into your timeline, so you don't accidentally leave an invitation to a party on the house security camera and blow your alibi like a culprit on one of my shows did.
If you drown someone in the bathtub, make sure they don't have any bubbles or soap in the water. It will show up in the autopsy and you won't be able to claim they drowned in the backyard pool.
Don't make any messes or leave wet towels around after the housekeeper has left. That's a dead giveaway.
When making a phone call to establish your alibi, make sure there are no background noises that wouldn't naturally be there if you were telling the truth such as a barking dog or cars on a busy road.
If you use these tips, you, too, can "Make Me A Perfect Alibi."