Sometimes we can’t stop a crime from happening. After the fact though, you may be able to determine who has broken into your house. So long as you have pre-installed the right tools, security resources can help find out who your thief is.
Below are the fourteen ways on how to find out who broke into your house:
1. Witnesses
Appeal to the general public or other members of the neighborhood to see if there were any witnesses who can identify what happened or who broke in. A witness can point out certain characteristics of a thief or be able to identify them outright.
2. Footprints
Sometimes, a thief can leave behind footprints. Locating these footprints is a possible way on how to find out who broke into your house. In winter, look in the snow. On a wet day, look toward the ground. Look inside your home and see if there’s a print anywhere.
If you have hardwood floors and they’ve come in from the outside, chances are they are moving quickly. Thieves don’t have time to clean up dirty footprints. You may be surprised by what you find.
3. Use A Glass of Water
Have a glass of water right at the door. The door opens and the glass gets knocked over. Water spills everywhere. This does two things. The first is a thief is likely to pick up the glass and leave fingerprints.
Secondly, if they walk through the water, it’s almost guaranteed to leave a clear footprint somewhere in the house – whether that’s dried on the floor or on the carpet.
4. Dust By The Door
Dust in front of the door catches on a person’s footwear. If there isn’t any carpet in your home, they’re going to keep this dust on the bottom of their shoes. They may notice and wipe it.
Alternatively, they may not. For dust, consider using white flour or similar dust-like material that catches easily.
5. Contact the Police
Whether something has been taken or not, always contact the police. They will be aware of recent crimes in the neighborhood or city. They may already have a thorough idea on who committed the crime.
6. How They Entered
If a thief entered your home through the front door presumably with your key, you know it’s someone who had access to it. If you know they’ve come in through a window, this suggests a wider selection of suspects.
7. Use Colorless Paint
Colorless paint is easy to get. Clean your doorknob and spray colorless paint on it. Leave your house without touching the knob. You can do this on other surfaces as well.
When a visitor enters, they’re going to leave fingerprints on the knob. When you return home, use ultraviolet light to identify fingerprints that have been left.
8. Motion Sensor Lights
Motion sensor lights can be solar-powered or LED-style. They activate only when there’s motion. As someone enters, they are identified with a series of motion-activated lights. They can be installed indoors and outdoors, a major benefit for larger properties with not a lot of lights surrounding a home’s perimeter.
9. Unfamiliar Vehicles
Have you recently noticed an unfamiliar vehicle parked in your neighborhood – it might be someone canvassing properties for theft. It happens. Try to think back. If you can identify this vehicle, it may provide a glimpse into who broke into your house.
10. Strangers in the Neighborhood
Take the same approach with people as you did the vehicles. Ask around. Did anyone see someone suspicious or unfamiliar walking around the neighborhood – you may be able to track down a public camera somewhere with recordings of this person. Just by asking around, you potentially can identify someone who may be your person.
11. Door-to-Door Salespersons
Sometimes a thief will pose as a door-to-door salesperson and enter a home to scout it beforehand. If you’ve recently let someone in as a door-to-door salesperson, to offer a ‘free’ service, to use the bathroom, or if you’ve granted anyone access to your home and it doesn’t matter what the excuse was, these are all signs that you may have previously met your criminal.
12. Look At What’s Missing
Some thieves will steal items and then re-sell them. Look at local pawnshops, classified ads, markets, and any sort of online sales setting. Consider what’s missing. Try to speak to places that could be re-selling these types of products.
13. Video Surveillance
The best way to find out who broke into your house is with video evidence. Install smart home devices and security cameras that connect to an app on your smartphone. Have 24/7 real-time surveillance. Even when video isn’t entirely clear on who is the thief, video clarifies a lot in terms of look, height, behaviour, and body type.
14. Audio Surveillance
Smart home security cameras are typically quite visible. This is a great way to deter criminals, however, someone who is determined can block or break a camera. Audio surveillance is concealable. Mics can be hidden in strategic locations. An audio recording picks up on voice characteristics and other information that may be able to help you identify who broke into your house.
