Why might witnesses be hard to gather during a crime?

Witnesses can be difficult to gather during a crime primarily because they often leave the scene quickly. In the immediate aftermath of a crime, individuals who may have witnessed the event might be frightened, confused, or emotionally impacted, prompting them to move away from the location as they try to process what they have seen. Additionally, in urban areas or places with busy foot traffic, people tend to continue with their routines, and this hurried nature can result in a loss of valuable eyewitness accounts.

While disinterest in providing statements or lack of attention might contribute to the challenge of gathering witnesses, the urgency that many individuals feel to leave a scene significantly impacts the ability of law enforcement to collect crucial information that could aid in an investigation. The concern about police engaging them too quickly could deter witness cooperation but is not as significant a factor as the instinct to vacate the area.