What is the least solved crime?

Asked by: Dr. Manuel Gorczany IV  |  Last update: May 13, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)

The least solved crimes in the U.S. are typically motor vehicle theft, followed by burglary and larceny-theft, which have the lowest clearance rates (percentage of cases solved by arrest or exceptional means) compared to violent crimes, with motor vehicle theft often under 10% in recent years.

What crimes have the lowest solve rate?

The clearance rate for reported crimes varies by type of crime. For 2023 in the USA the arrest rate was 47.5% for murder, 42.9% for aggravated assault, 35.4% for shoplifting, 24.9% for robbery, 24.3% for embezzlement, 22.2% for arson, 12.0% for rape, 11.9% for burglary and 6.6% for motor vehicle theft.

What crime is least likely to be solved?

But offences such as robbery, where witnesses are needed, and sexual offences, which often revolve around the issue of consent, have far lower clear-up rates.

What is the most unrecorded crime?

Violent crimes are the least well recorded crime type. Forces need to improve their recording of conduct crimes such as harassment, stalking and controlling or coercive behaviour. These crimes disproportionately affect women and girls and account for 37.9 percent of unrecorded violent crime; and.

What's the least serious crime?

Infractions, which can also be called violations, are the least serious crimes and include minor offenses such as jaywalking and motor vehicle offenses that result in a simple traffic ticket. Infractions are generally punishable by a fine or alternative sentencing such as traffic school.

Cops Realize Killer Is The One They Least Expected

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Does Gen Z like true crime?

Yes, Gen Z loves true crime, with high consumption rates driven by social media (especially TikTok), a desire for control in an uncertain world, and curiosity about human psychology, using platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and podcasts for accessible, bite-sized, or in-depth storytelling. This generation engages with the genre for entertainment, to feel prepared, to gain closure from solved cases, and to explore complex motivations behind crimes, often becoming amateur sleuths online.
 

What is the most harmless crime?

Some of the common examples of actions that may be called victimless crimes include:

  • Trespassing.
  • Recreational drug use.
  • Drug possession.
  • Gambling.
  • Public drunkenness.
  • Possession of contraband.
  • Public nudity.
  • Homelessness.

What is the hardest crime to solve?

Burglary is probably the most difficult to solve because its perpetrators do not have a motive that makes the victim's identity relevant. In most cases, they will elect to steal from an unoccupied home or dwelling, which may leave few, if any, witnesses.

What is the #1 safest city in the world?

The title of "safest city in the world" varies by report, but Abu Dhabi (UAE) is frequently ranked #1 for overall safety and low crime by sources like CEOWORLD and APIL. Other top contenders include Copenhagen (Denmark) for overall safety in EIU reports, Tokyo (Japan) for health security in some rankings, and Reykjavik (Iceland) for low crime and traveler safety in others. 

What are the top 10 unsolved murders?

Top unsolved murders often include notorious cases like the Zodiac Killer, Jack the Ripper, JonBenét Ramsey, and the Black Dahlia, alongside famous mysteries such as the Somerton Man, the D.B. Cooper hijacking, the Tylenol Tampering, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist, featuring serial killers, celebrity deaths, and perplexing disappearances that have baffled investigators for decades. 

What are some light crimes?

Some examples of infractions are traffic violations, jaywalking, shoplifting, noise violations, and disorderly conduct. These types of crimes are ones that the police may deal with but are often pretty low ranking in the scheme of things.

What is the best true crime?

The "best" true crime depends on your preference (documentary series, films, podcasts, books), but top-rated and popular choices include The Jinx, Making a Murderer, I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Mindhunter, American Murder: The Family Next Door, and The Pharmacist, covering infamous killers, wrongful convictions, and unsolved mysteries across platforms like Netflix, HBO, and books. 

What is the most cleared crime?

Crime clearance rate U.S. 2023, by type of offense

In 2023, murder and manslaughter charges had the highest crime clearance rate in the United States, with 57.8 percent of all cases being cleared by arrest or so-called exceptional means.

How many murders never get solved?

That places the U.S. far behind other countries like Germany, where more than 90% of homicide cases are solved, according to Our World in Data. The murder clearance rate hit an all-time low in 2020. In 2021, only 51% of homicides were solved, according to FBI statistics analyzed by the Murder Accountability Project.

What is worse, felony 1 or 5?

The presumptive sentence for a Class 1 felony is 25 years to life in prison, five years for a Class 2 felony, three and a half years for a Class 3 felony, two and a half years Class 4 felony, a year and a half for a Class 5 felony, and one year for a Class 6 felony.

What is the least punished crime?

Infractions: Infractions are the least serious type of crime. Infractions, like speeding tickets, are usually handled in traffic court. Someone convicted only of an infraction cannot be punished with jail time. Typically, the punishment is a fine.

Which city is safest for girls?

Mangalore is consistently ranked as the safest city for women in India. Other notably safe cities for women include Pune, Coimbatore, and Chennai. Crime rate per 1,00,000 people (NCRB data) Numbeo Safety Index and citizen perception.

What is the cleanest city in the world?

Copenhagen, Denmark: The cleanest city on the planet

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, with a population of 1,990,000, and has become the cleanest city in the world thanks to social awareness and environmentally friendly practices.

What is the #1 safest country?

  • Switzerland. #1 in Safe. #1 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Norway. #2 in Safe. #11 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Sweden. #3 in Safe. #6 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Austria. #4 in Safe. #21 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Denmark. #5 in Safe. #10 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Canada. #6 in Safe. ...
  • Finland. #7 in Safe. ...
  • New Zealand. #8 in Safe.

What state is #1 in crime?

Alaska often ranks #1 for violent crime rates per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, while some analyses also point to Louisiana for high murder rates or overall danger, though rankings vary slightly depending on whether violent crime, property crime, or general safety metrics are used, with data from 2024 and 2025 consistently showing Alaska and New Mexico leading in violent offenses. 

Was there ever a perfect crime?

Real-life examples

The infamous 1987 Opera House heist in India by a group of men impersonating CBI officers was described as a perfect crime.

What is the smallest crime possible?

Infractions. Infractions, which can also be called violations, are the least serious crimes and include minor offenses such as jaywalking and motor vehicle offenses that result in a simple traffic ticket. Infractions are generally punishable by a fine or alternative sentencing such as traffic school.

What crimes are victimless?

VICTIMLESS CRIMES INCLUDE DRUG ABUSE, PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, PROSTITUTION, VAGRANCY, AND CERTAIN VOLUNTARY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR. MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF ALL ARRESTS DURING 1975 WERE FOR VICTIMLESS CRIMES. A BREAKDOWN OF THAT CATEGORY AND THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS MADE FOR EACH CRIME ARE GIVEN.

What is the hardest crime to defend?

Crimes like human trafficking, white-collar crimes (fraud, embezzlement), identity theft, domestic violence, and crimes of passion are exceptionally difficult to prevent due to factors like international scope, hidden victims, lack of evidence, complex financial trails, victim-offender relationships, and intense emotions, making them challenging for law enforcement to detect and prosecute effectively. 

What is the highest unreported crime?

The most underreported crimes are generally sexual assault and rape, with estimates suggesting a vast majority (around 65% or more) are never reported to police, often due to fear, shame, or belief that authorities can't or won't help. Household theft and other property crimes also have high underreporting rates, while violent crimes like simple assault are less often unreported, though significant percentages still go unreported.