When a murder case is classified as SOLVED, it signifies that the case has reached a definitive legal resolution, and it is no longer considered open or unsolved. This determination indicates that law enforcement and the judicial system have concluded their investigation and adjudication processes.
In most instances, a case is deemed solved when a suspect or suspects have been identified, apprehended, and subjected to the legal system. This typically includes a formal arrest, followed by prosecution and, ultimately, a conviction in a court of law. However, there are also instances where a case may be labeled solved if sufficient evidence has been gathered to conclusively identify the perpetrator, even if external circumstances, such as the death of the suspect, prevent an arrest or trial.
The designation of SOLVED reflects the closure of the case in terms of investigative and legal requirements, bringing resolution to law enforcement, the judicial system, and, ideally, the victims' families.