Crime & Safety
KDKA Investigates 'Crime Without Punishment': Pittsburgh Homicide Clearance Rates Tumbling As National Rate Hits All-Time Low
In the mid-1960s, more than 90% of murders were solved, generally resulting in an arrest. By 1990, the percentage fell into the 60s.

June 29, 2022
In a collaboration with CBS News, KDKA Investigates examines crime often going without punishment in our country. Barely half of murder cases in the United States get solved. The national homicide clearance rate is at an all-time low, according to FBI data.
Find out what's happening in Pittsburghfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In the mid-1960s, more than 90% of murders were solved, generally resulting in an arrest. By 1990, the percentage fell into the 60s. Then, by 2020, as the number of homicides surged, the national clearance rate dropped to about 50% for the first time ever.
Our analysis with CBS News also discovered a difference by race. The national homicide clearance rate for white victims keeps improving while the rate of solving murders for Black and Hispanic victims is much lower.
Find out what's happening in Pittsburghfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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In the mid-1960s, more than 90% of murders were solved, generally resulting in an arrest. (Photo Credit: CBS News)
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By 2020, as the number of homicides surged, the national clearance rate dropped to about 50% for the first time ever. (Photo Credit: CBS News)
Please click https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsb... for a CBS video report.
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