The Reid Scale: Classic Unsolved Murder Cases

[sdreid]

I've not only read about it, I wrote about it in a print magazine article.

[sdreid]

When I say conviction, I mean murder conviction.

[curious]

Wayne Williams

I'm surprised that Wayne Williams isn't a 0. What have I forgotten (or never knew)?

[sdreid]

I might be tempted to put Williams at a 0 but a bunch are still trying to blame the KKK and whatnot.

[curious]

Hi,
Have been reading some of the controversy, and it makes for some interesting reading. I was remembering the fiber and dog hair evidence, but was not familiar with any of the other.

Very interesting indeed.

[curious]

I might be tempted to put Williams at a 0 but a bunch are still trying to blame the KKK and whatnot.

In the last day or two, I have re-acquainted myself a bit with the case and I personally doubt that all the murders were committed by Williams. I don't know enough to say that he is not guilty of murder, but I don't think they were all by the same hand.

[sdreid]

I don't think they were all by the same hand.

I would agree that most likely all the murders were not by the same hand.

[curious]

Then there are a bunch to be added to your list of unsolved regional crimes.

[sdreid]

Well, somebody's regional unsolved anyway.

[sdreid]

Purely in the realm of theory, a Level 5 would be a slaying that no-one ever suspected was a murder, that is other than the killer.

On the renumbered list, that would be raised from a 5 to a 6.

[sdreid]

I would agree that most likely all the murders were not by the same hand.

The question is, which ones were by Williams and which weren't?

[K-453]

The Reid Scale: Classic Unsolved Murder Cases

Level 0: Cases with a standing conviction and where there is no serious doubt regarding the verdict (Ted Bundy).

Level 1: Cases where there is a standing conviction but some doubt about it (James Hanratty).

Level 2: Cases where there is no conviction but where there is little doubt regarding the perpetrator (Bella Kiss).

Level 3: Cases where there is no standing conviction but where there is a better than even chance that one suspect did it (Lizzie Borden).

Level 4: Cases where there are good suspects but they are independent and/or conflicting (Jack the Ripper).

Level 5: Cases where there is no serious suspect (The Original Nightstalker).

Level 6: Serial killings which are not recognized as serial killings, but treated as unconnected murders. (These single murders could be anything from level 1 - 5.)

Level 7: Murders that are not recognized as murders at all.

[sdreid]

I do need to go through all my tweaks and make an updated version. Since I typed up the original off the top of my head in about 10 minutes, it could have been a lot worse I think.

[Roy Corduroy]

Level 7: Murders that are not recognized as murders at all.

Constable K, that's interesting. Can't think of one right off. Is there an example?

Roy

[K-453]

Roy, maybe you will be one yourself one day ... If you have a lot of money and greedy heirs!