Knots & Killers

Knots may tell you a great deal about your offender.  Whether a basic over-hand knot or a diamond-hitch, the complexity of the knot may indicate a killer’s hobby, profession, or lack of any knot tying skill (thereby eliminating a potential suspect). Clinton McKinzie, C.J. Box and Robert B. Parker have brought knot tying into their novels in very effective ways.  People use knots for a variety of tasks and understanding the type of knot used in a crime can actually tell you something about the offender. I once saw a case presentation from an NCIS agent who was able to determine the rank of the sailor who committed a crime based solely on the type of knot used (a person of a higher or lower rank and corresponding duties would have tied a different knot).

Some of the professions/hobbies using knots include:

• Military (sailor and other)
• Sailors
• Outfitters/hunters
• Fishermen
• Boy Scouts
• Technical Rock Climbers
• Ranchers/Cattlemen

As an author it may be interesting to give your killer one of these hobbies or professions. Maybe they worked on a fishing boat one summer or did a “City Slickers” vacation type cattle drive.  Whatever you choose, do a little research with someone in that profession to find out what kinds of knots are common and what some of their specialty knots are (found only in that profession). Additionally, recognize that individuals may modify a knot for their own personal application. This may be critically important in identifying the individual within the “group”. For example, commercial fishermen may commonly tie a whipping knot but maybe your killer puts his own twist on it (sorry, I couldn’t resist).  The knot may not even be related to the crime but might also be “pre-existing” in the rope. However you decide to use them you can add a lot of mystery to the investigation and create a ton of leads for your detectives and CSIs to follow.