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How to Commit the Perfect Murder: Forensic Science Analyzed
Today, most murder crimes can be detected through DNA analysis and the assistance of forensic scientists like pathologists, toxicologists and ballistic experts. So, the question must be asked, can a criminal, using the knowledge of forensic science to their own advantage, reduce their percentage of detection, in order to commit the perfect murder?
If a criminal knew exactly what investigators were looking for at a crime scene could they use that to avoid detection? Crime Scene Analysis is a documented and forensic process. Fortunately, most murderers do not approach their crimes in a scientific manner.
But, if you thought like a forensic scientist, is it possible to commit the perfect murder? The idea of committing the perfect murder, by which I mean, committing a murder and not being apprehended, is the ultimate intellectual challenge. A select few have endeavoured to put theory into practice. Some have succeeded.
A few experts will reluctantly admit that there might be a way to get away with murder. They say it would require an undetectable weapon, a perfect location to commit the crime and an ingenious way to dispose of the body.
There are many pitfalls a criminal can avoid by studying forensic science, just as there are many ways a poisoner can evade capture by studying toxicology. For example, did you know that the greatest source of evidence in a murder case is extracted from the victim’s body? Forensic science will use an autopsy to determine the time of death; the victim’s last meal; the manner of death; the weapon used; maybe even the actual weapon itself. Marks on the body will assist the pathologist in this regard. All of this information, pieced together, will bring them closer to catching the culprit. But there are ways to avoid this.
There are ways of killing a person without leaving any marks on the body. There are ways to avoid leaving your DNA at the crime scene. There are ways to dispose of the body so that it will never be recovered, at least not in your lifetime.
Even as you read this book, someone, somewhere is committing the perfect murder. They will never be caught and forensic science, although it has greatly enhanced detection rates, is not yet fool proof. Despite what you may have read elsewhere that the perfect murder exists only in Crime Fiction novels the fact is, that thousands of perfect murders are committed every year.
Dr. Harold Shipman is the world’s most prolific serial killer who killed over one thousand of his patients before making some some basic mistakes which resulted in his capture. It was only when his motive became one of greed that he was caught. Up to that point he had committed a thousand perfect murders.
So yes, it is possible to commit the perfect murder. How? Well, let’s say it’s complicated
If a criminal knew exactly what investigators were looking for at a crime scene could they use that to avoid detection? Crime Scene Analysis is a documented and forensic process. Fortunately, most murderers do not approach their crimes in a scientific manner.
But, if you thought like a forensic scientist, is it possible to commit the perfect murder? The idea of committing the perfect murder, by which I mean, committing a murder and not being apprehended, is the ultimate intellectual challenge. A select few have endeavoured to put theory into practice. Some have succeeded.
A few experts will reluctantly admit that there might be a way to get away with murder. They say it would require an undetectable weapon, a perfect location to commit the crime and an ingenious way to dispose of the body.
There are many pitfalls a criminal can avoid by studying forensic science, just as there are many ways a poisoner can evade capture by studying toxicology. For example, did you know that the greatest source of evidence in a murder case is extracted from the victim’s body? Forensic science will use an autopsy to determine the time of death; the victim’s last meal; the manner of death; the weapon used; maybe even the actual weapon itself. Marks on the body will assist the pathologist in this regard. All of this information, pieced together, will bring them closer to catching the culprit. But there are ways to avoid this.
There are ways of killing a person without leaving any marks on the body. There are ways to avoid leaving your DNA at the crime scene. There are ways to dispose of the body so that it will never be recovered, at least not in your lifetime.
Even as you read this book, someone, somewhere is committing the perfect murder. They will never be caught and forensic science, although it has greatly enhanced detection rates, is not yet fool proof. Despite what you may have read elsewhere that the perfect murder exists only in Crime Fiction novels the fact is, that thousands of perfect murders are committed every year.
Dr. Harold Shipman is the world’s most prolific serial killer who killed over one thousand of his patients before making some some basic mistakes which resulted in his capture. It was only when his motive became one of greed that he was caught. Up to that point he had committed a thousand perfect murders.
So yes, it is possible to commit the perfect murder. How? Well, let’s say it’s complicated
- GenresTrue Crime
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2015
20 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 20, 2026
This is probably a weird choice for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day read, but to be honest I wasn't thinking about that. More, I was thinking about how my brother commented about his probably being on the FBI watchlist after buying The Anarchist Cookbook, and how I wonder if it's smart for me to admit that I read this book, whether or not I DID get it from a free library.
Well, if anything, adding me to their watchlist will give them too much to bother with, so I'm probably safe. (Unless I DO use this as a manual instead of an anthropological study like it says not to do, in which case I WILL read the "How To Spend Your Time in Prison" follow-up the Epilogue jokes about.)
Full disclosure: I read MOST of the book but not all of it—by the time I got to chapter 8 (Fingerprints and DNA), I got the general idea of what it would be about and really wasn't interested in reading it, as I was already falling asleep between the repetitiveness of several passages, the VERY detailed descriptions of autopsy and crime scene procedure, and the general malaise of mid-January setting in. Chapter 9 I did read, about becoming a suspect/being questioned/legal rights, since that's always useful to know, and I skimmed the chapter on Insanity (10), which amounts to "even IF you successfully plead insanity, you spend MORE time in an asylum than you would have in prison."
On the whole, my impression is it's a good effort term paper: lots of research and citations; paragraphs are separated by spaces, instead of indenting; some spelling and grammar errors throughout the text; and parts that were just explained are repeated in the very next paragraph. It definitely feels self-published vs. run past an editor, even without the telltale self-publication signs (print quality, distinctive printer's barcode and printing date in the back), and it's not a BAD book on the whole.
I just, you know, wouldn't really keep it on hand for any reason, in particular because I don't WANT to commit even an IMperfect murder. Insanity really would be the only reason I would go through with it, such as if an evil sorcerer possessed me and killed everyone in Tokyo. As a for instance.
(THAT would be the perfect murder, too—be an all-powerful monster that mere humans couldn't possibly prosecute.)
Okay read, but also... why? (haha)
(Yes, the book DOES say basically the best way to pull this off is to go to some remote country and kill a homeless person, since there will be nothing to tie you to the murder and also nobody will bother trying to solve it. You weird psychopath.)
Well, if anything, adding me to their watchlist will give them too much to bother with, so I'm probably safe. (Unless I DO use this as a manual instead of an anthropological study like it says not to do, in which case I WILL read the "How To Spend Your Time in Prison" follow-up the Epilogue jokes about.)
Full disclosure: I read MOST of the book but not all of it—by the time I got to chapter 8 (Fingerprints and DNA), I got the general idea of what it would be about and really wasn't interested in reading it, as I was already falling asleep between the repetitiveness of several passages, the VERY detailed descriptions of autopsy and crime scene procedure, and the general malaise of mid-January setting in. Chapter 9 I did read, about becoming a suspect/being questioned/legal rights, since that's always useful to know, and I skimmed the chapter on Insanity (10), which amounts to "even IF you successfully plead insanity, you spend MORE time in an asylum than you would have in prison."
On the whole, my impression is it's a good effort term paper: lots of research and citations; paragraphs are separated by spaces, instead of indenting; some spelling and grammar errors throughout the text; and parts that were just explained are repeated in the very next paragraph. It definitely feels self-published vs. run past an editor, even without the telltale self-publication signs (print quality, distinctive printer's barcode and printing date in the back), and it's not a BAD book on the whole.
I just, you know, wouldn't really keep it on hand for any reason, in particular because I don't WANT to commit even an IMperfect murder. Insanity really would be the only reason I would go through with it, such as if an evil sorcerer possessed me and killed everyone in Tokyo. As a for instance.
(THAT would be the perfect murder, too—be an all-powerful monster that mere humans couldn't possibly prosecute.)
Okay read, but also... why? (haha)
(Yes, the book DOES say basically the best way to pull this off is to go to some remote country and kill a homeless person, since there will be nothing to tie you to the murder and also nobody will bother trying to solve it. You weird psychopath.)
August 23, 2018
The book itself is not well written. There are many spelling and grammar errors. Also it is clear that the author is trying to hard to make light of a serious topic, and that he has a strange obsession with 'Dr Death'. Additionally, the chapter on Legal rights is extremely difficult to follow and understand.
However, the book provides a simplistic overview of some of the different job roles within Forensics that may be useful if you are thinking of a career in this field but do not know what different career pathways are available to you. Also, the book draws upon the occasional case study and TV programme to enable the reader to connect the factual information with 'real-life' well known stories.
Overall, I think the concept of the book and the length are great. However, it does not stand out as a 'must read' book.
However, the book provides a simplistic overview of some of the different job roles within Forensics that may be useful if you are thinking of a career in this field but do not know what different career pathways are available to you. Also, the book draws upon the occasional case study and TV programme to enable the reader to connect the factual information with 'real-life' well known stories.
Overall, I think the concept of the book and the length are great. However, it does not stand out as a 'must read' book.
June 9, 2025
This book is worth a read if you haven’t got any others waiting in line to be read! I found myself getting very bored at times! At least I know the perfect way to commit a crime that being murder.. *SPOILER ALERT* An icicle! - stabs you in vital organs and melts away leaving no fingerprints or weapon behind!.. ta da! Trust me I’ve done you a favour!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2025
Some things are interesting, some things are so stretched out and I’d even say useless information to the chapter… Too many grammatical mistakes!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews