Police have odds with them, but time remains the enemy

Originally published Jan. 13, 1993

The odds are with Palatine police investigators as they work to solve the puzzling slayings of seven people in a fast-food restaurant.

Statistically, nearly three-fourths of the murders that occurred in Illinois in recent years were considered "cleared" - a catchall term that does not necessarily mean a defendant was convicted in every case.

Records compiled by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority show that 72 percent of 1,298 murders committed in 1991 were cleared, as were 70 percent of 1,183 murders committed in 1990, spokeswoman Teri Vlasak said.

Cases are considered cleared when an arrest is made, even if a conviction does not result from court proceedings, Vlasak said. While the odds are with police, time is not on their side, police say

Every day that passes after a murder without an arrest makes it harder for investigators to find the killer, police say.