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Oct-29-2007 02:57

I've worked on an Intermediate case today... Found only 5 suspects, and couldn't find any more, because those I've had were clammed, and the city shop owners weren't much help - they've only pointed to those suspects I already had.

In the end, I've found evidence pointing to one Griselda, both physical and witness. However, she had a valid alibi... There was only one other suspect, who's alibi I didn't check, however, there was no possibility for him to be the culprit (he was heavy and curly-haired, yet evidence was "slim and straight"). I thought it was a bug of some sort, so I've accused that Griselda. She turned out to be innocent. I know that if someone has a valid alibi, they can't be the murderer, however, all evidence pointed to her... Is this a bug, or is this just my misunderstanding?

Oct-29-2007 03:52

No I'm affraid you got this very wrong. A suspect can only be guilty if you have Physical Evidence and/or Witness Evidence and a false or "none" alibi. The other alternative is if you get 2 peices of witness evidence against the same eprson. A person can never be guilty if they have a real alibi otherwise these cases would be impossible to solve.

What happened is that you did not get the full suspect list so you missed out on getting the guilty person's name. All cases like this should be quit. Never accuse someone with a real alibi and never guess.

Oct-29-2007 05:21

What confused me was the fact that no evidence pointed to the person that was guilty in the end - and I've expected him to be the culprit. Oh well, I suspected that it was indeed my mistake. Seems I now need to blow some hard-earned bucks to remove that record.

All in a Sleuth's life, I guess.

Oct-29-2007 12:08

If there was no physical evidence left after matching it all to people with real alibi's then I'd guess you do not have basic thread and hair analysis? Once you get both you will always find all the physical evidence at a scene.

Oct-29-2007 12:17

Had a quick glance at your profile, Mael. Looks like you're just starting out. As you get a few more cases and experience under your belt, I think you'll find that they'll start gettin a bit easier for you.

Also, you mentioned you were only able to find 5 suspects. With an Intermediate case, there can be up to 8 (I think) suspects in a case of that level, so you weren't able to find all your suspects for that case, unfortunately.

Like Stooby mentioned, if you didn't see a thread or hair mentioned in your evidence, chances are better than even that's what the killer's evidence was.

You're doing just fine, despite what you prob'ly think. You're just starting out, and learning the ropes. You'll get the hang of it before you know it. ;-)