Low Clearance Rate
Chicago’s rate of solving murders has edged up as homicides have dipped but still trails some other big cities.
![Low clearance rate info graphic](/wp-content/archive/images/2020/C202001-312-Getting-Away-With-Murder-info-01.png)
Detective Shortage
Chicago has a lower proportion of detective slots than other big cities: 1,127 on a force of 13,352 total officers.
![Detective shortage info graphic 1](/wp-content/archive/images/2020/C202001-312-Getting-Away-With-Murder-info-04.png)
Misapplied Manpower
One issue the study identified: The fewest dedicated homicide detectives are assigned to the part of the city with the most murders.
![Misapplied manpower info graphic](/wp-content/archive/images/2020/C202001-312-Getting-Away-With-Murder-info-02.png)
![Detective shortage info graphic 2](/wp-content/archive/images/2020/C202001-312-Getting-Away-With-Murder-info-05.png)
Drop in Forensic Specialists
In 2014, the CPD stopped hiring police forensic investigators, the only personnel authorized to perform certain lab tests. The result: delays in processing homicide evidence.
![Forensic specialists info graphic](/wp-content/archive/images/2020/C202001-312-Getting-Away-With-Murder-info-03.png)