Investigating "Normal" Crimes vs Investigating a UFO Sighting: Different Worlds, Shared Techniques

Introduction

At first glance, investigating a "normal" crime and we'll use shoplifting as the example and investigating a UFO sighting seem like two completely different jobs.

One is a routine crime that happens in retail stores every day.The other dives into the realm of the unexplained — lights in the sky, strange objects, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).

But if you look closer, you’ll see that many of the core investigative techniques are the same. The mindset of a good investigator doesn’t change — whether you’re chasing a shoplifter or trying to document a possible encounter with something not of this Earth.

The Similarities

1️⃣ You Start With Eyewitnesses

Shoplifting:

You interview store employees or customers — what did they see? What time? What direction did the suspect go?

UFO/UAP:

You interview the person who saw the object — what did they see? What time? What direction was it moving?

Common skill:In both cases, you need to interview effectively — getting details without leading the witness, without introducing false memories. A good investigator knows how to listen first.

2️⃣ You Collect Physical Evidence

Shoplifting:

Surveillance video. Still photos. Time-stamped register logs. Security tags left behind.

UFO/UAP:

Video footage. Photos. Radar data (if available). Environmental readings. Sometimes even trace physical effects(scorched ground, EMF readings).

Common skill:You need to know how to collect and preserve evidence — and how to determine what’s real vs. what’s noise.

3️⃣ You Assess Credibility

Shoplifting:

Is the witness credible? Are there blind spots on the cameras? Could the report be false or mistaken identity?

UFO/UAP:

Is the witness credible? Could this be a plane, drone, or satellite? Could atmospheric conditions explain it?

Common skill:

You must think critically and evaluate alternative explanations — not jump to conclusions.

4️⃣ You Build a Timeline

Shoplifting:

What time did the suspect enter? Where did they go? What time did they leave? What was their path?

UFO/UAP:

What time was the object seen? Where was it first observed? What direction did it travel? How long was it visible?

Common skill:

Building a timeline is crucial to understanding the event — and identifying patterns or missing pieces.

5️⃣ You Deal With Uncertainty

Shoplifting:

Not every case is solved. Sometimes there’s not enough evidence to charge.

UFO/UAP:

Many sightings remain unexplained — not necessarily "alien," just unidentified. You often end up with an open case.

Common skill:

A good investigator knows when to say:👉 “This is inconclusive — for now.”👉 “Here’s what we know, here’s what we can’t yet explain.”

You don’t force an answer just to “close the file.”

The Differences

1️⃣ Legal framework

Shoplifting is a defined criminal act — with laws, penalties, and court procedures.

Investigating a UFO/UAP is often outside the legal system — it’s more about documentation, science, or personal understanding.

2️⃣ Volume of cases

Shoplifting is high-volume — every big store deals with it daily.UFO cases are rarer — but can be high-impact (especially if documented well).

3️⃣ Level of skepticism

Shoplifting cases are assumed to be real crimes — the debate is over who did it and how.

UFO cases often begin with doubt about whether anything unusual happened — you have to fight public skepticism, even when the witness is credible.

Conclusion: An Investigator Is an Investigator

At their core, both shoplifting investigations and UFO/UAP investigations are about:

✅ Asking the right questions

✅ Documenting evidence

✅ Building timelines

✅ Testing alternate explanations

✅ Reporting findings — honestly and clearly

The mindset is the same: follow the facts, stay objective, and don’t jump to conclusions.

At Zona Investigations and The 918 Files, we bring that same mindset to everything we investigate — from the everyday to the unexplained. Because whether you’re chasing a petty thief — or tracking lights in the Arizona sky — truth matters.

Have a case of your own?👉 Share your story on the 918 BOARD — or contact us at Zona Investigations. We’ll always follow where the evidence leads.

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