SEATTLE, Washington – According to a report released by the independent Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) on December 19, the clearance rate for homicides in the United States has steadily declined from 83.7 percent in 1964 to 50 percent in 2022. Retired law enforcement officials attribute this decrease to a weakening relationship between police and the public, a rise in murders by strangers, and slower police response rates.
Chris Swecker, a former FBI assistant director, expressed concern over the increase in homicides combined with the reduction of law enforcement resources and respect for police officers. Additionally, he noted the decline in murder clearance rates despite advancements in forensic technologies, such as DNA databases and forensic genealogy.
Donald Tubman, a retired private detective from the Rochester Police Department, emphasized the impact of a decline in respect for police officers on the solvability of murder cases, particularly in cases involving witness cooperation. He also pointed to changes in the culture of young individuals, citing the use of stolen cars and firearms for criminal activities.
Tubman also highlighted the influence of social media, specifically TikTok, in promoting criminal behavior among young individuals. He mentioned that the prevalence of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement have also contributed to the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving homicide cases.
The CCJ report revealed disparities in homicide rates, with Black men being eight times more likely and Black women being four times more likely to be murdered compared to their white counterparts. Ernesto Lopez, a CCJ research specialist, emphasized the decline in public trust in the police as a significant factor affecting clearance rates.
The report also mentioned an increase in the number of homicides with unclear circumstances, indicating a growing challenge in investigating and solving murder cases. This trend raises concerns about the effectiveness of the justice system when factors like low trust result in less cooperation.
In light of these findings, the decrease in homicide clearance rates presents a pressing challenge for law enforcement, emphasizing the need for improved community-police relations and enhanced resources for solving murder cases.
In summary, the rise in unsolved murders in the United States can be attributed to a combination of factors, including declining police-public relations, an increase in murders by strangers, slower police response rates, and a decrease in witness cooperation. The disparities in homicide rates among different demographics and the lack of clarity surrounding many murder cases further underscore the challenges faced by law enforcement in solving these crimes.