 Mystery: September 27, 2017 Issue [#8520] |
  Mystery
This week: Don't make assumptions! Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon  
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Quote for the week: You must stick to your conviction, but be ready to abandon your assumptions.
~Denis Waitley
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An assumption is something that is taken to be true without proof. Assumptions are often based on stereotypes or limited experience. While assumptions don't always lead to false conclusions, it is dangerous to base an important decision on an assumption alone.
An assumption is different from a deduction, which is a conclusion based on evidence. An example of a deduction might be deciding a suspect is innocent because you have video evidence that he was 300 miles away at the time the crime was committed, as well as another suspect's DNA on the weapon. An example of an assumption would be deciding the suspect is innocent because he reminds you of your grandfather.
Relying on false assumptions can have negative consequences ranging from making you look foolish to threatening your life. Good detectives try to never make assumptions and are always on guard for any assumptions that they may allow to cloud their judgment. Here are some false assumptions that might lead your characters to misjudge a situation:
Automatically accepting a witness's testimony as fact: Witnesses do not always tell the truth. The grieving widow or the extremely helpful neighbor may be trying to cover their own guilt. Witnesses might lie to protect someone else, or simply be mistaken about what they saw.
Equating intelligence with education: A person who did not finish high school might be a genius who misleads investigators at every turn. Also, a person with a PhD could be naive and foolish in situations outside his or her area of expertise.
Assumptions based on looks: Serial killer Ted Bundy was able to lure his victims into his car by taking advantage of their assumptions about his appearance. He was good looking and personable, and just "seemed like a nice guy." He often wore a cast or walked with crutches, causing a potential victim to assume he was weak and harmless.
Assumptions based on age: While investigators must be careful of the manner in which they question very young victims and witnesses, that does not mean their testimony cannot be valid. Many people tend to discount evidence given by elderly witnesses, assuming their hearing or eyesight are deficient. Fictional detective Miss Marple uses the assumptions other characters make about her to her advantage. They let their guard down around her, thinking she is just a "sweet old lady" who is not a serious investigator.
Assumptions based on gender: I once had a guy try to scare me with photos of a tarantula, because he assumed all women were scared of spiders. I happen to love spiders, but have seen lots of big strong guys who freak out at the sight of a little one, though!
Assumptions based on mannerisms: Remember the TV detective, Columbo, from the show by the same name? Suspects assumed he wasn't very intelligent because of his bumbling manner and way of speaking. He would often appear to have fallen for their deception and be about to leave, only to nail them with a question beginning with, "Oh, just one more thing..."
Readers might make similar assumptions while they read your story. You can use popular assumptions to set up a smoke screen to make your solutions more difficult to guess. for example, your readers might assume a certain character it too old, too weak, or too foolish to commit a crime. Make sure you insert subtle clues that show the character is not what he or she seems, so you can set up an illusion without lying to the reader.
Something to try: Write a mystery story in which a character gets in trouble because of assumptions.
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