Vehicle Description

Stolen vehicles can be described beyond year, make and model.

From the book Elements of Crime Patterns:

Crimes can be linked based on descriptions of the vehicle or vehicles the offender used to commit crimes. It is important to get detailed information from victims, witnesses, and CCTV cameras regarding any notable features of an offender’s vehicle.

The Gilgo Beach serial murder cold case was solved because, in 2010, a victim's roommate reported the description of the vehicle he had seen the suspect drive, a first-generation Chrysler Avalanche.  Rex Heuermann, arrested in 2023, had been in the house fighting with the victim and the roommate, then left in the vehicle. A state investigator discovered the truck description after the launch of a new task force. A search of a vehicle records database led investigators to Heuermann. 

Offender’s Vehicle Example Variables

General descriptors: make (such as Ford), model (such as Mustang), year

Color: beige, black, blue, bronze, brown, burgundy, camouflage, chrome, copper, cream, dark, gold, gray, green, ivory, light, maroon, multi-colored, pink, purple, red, silver, stainless steel, tan, taupe, teal, white, yellow

License Plate: alphanumeric characters, color, damage, disguise, missing, personalization, province, state, visibility

Vehicle Type: 2-door, 4-door, bike, bus, camper van, caravanette, classic car, convertible, coupe, electric bicycle, electric car, estate, hatchback, hybrid car, jeep, land rover, luxury car, MPV, moped, motor home, people carrier, passenger car, passenger van, pickup truck, recreational vehicle (RV), saloon, sedan, sports car, sport utility vehicle (SUV), station wagon, tractor trailer, truck, van, vintage car

Vehicle Feature/Modification: body kits, bumper stickers, convertible top, custom paint job, decals, ornaments, spoilers, sunroof, tinted windows, unique accessories, unique color

Vehicle Damage: broken or cracked side mirror, broken or cracked rear window, broken or cracked windshield, chipped paint, dents, fresh dents or scrapes, scratches, missing or broken bumper, missing or broken headlight, missing or broken taillight, rust or corrosion

Tire Conditions: custom rims, brand, flat tires, snow chains, worn-out treads

Unusual Noises: engine sound, exhaust sound, rattling parts

Condition: clean, dirty, extra-clean, neglected

Note These Possibilities

The offender(s) used multiple vehicles to commit crime(s).

The offender(s) used a stolen vehicle to commit crime(s).