One element is the stupidity of the criminal. Like in the story where the thief used his own paycheck to write a holdup note. Another is when their plans go completely awry. For example, the burglar who thought old VHS tapes were valuable. Also, unexpected twists, such as the man who couldn't fit the painting through the window he planned to escape from.
One element is the stupidity of the criminal. Like when a thief tries to steal a car but doesn't know how to drive and ends up crashing it into a pole right outside the owner's house. Another is unexpected twists. For example, burglars break into a house thinking it's full of valuables but find only a bunch of old magazines. Also, the reaction of the victims can be funny. If a victim calmly tells a robber that they don't have any money and the robber believes them and leaves disappointed." "Answer2": "The incompetence of the criminals often makes a crime story funny. For instance, if a bank robber forgets to bring a weapon or writes the robbery note on the back of their own business card. Irony also plays a role. Maybe a person who is always preaching about law and order gets caught stealing something small. And the over - confidence of the criminals can lead to humorous situations. A burglar who struts into a house thinking no one is home only to be scared off by a small dog." "Answer3": "A real funny crime story usually has elements like the criminals' miscalculation. They might think they have a foolproof plan but end up making obvious mistakes. For example, trying to steal from a place that has a lot of security they didn't notice. The absurdity of the situation is important too. Picture a group of thieves stealing a huge statue and getting stuck in a narrow alleyway while trying to transport it. And the way the law enforcement catches them can add to the humor. If they catch the thieves in a really clumsy or unexpected way, like when the thieves trip over while running away and the police are just there to handcuff them.
A creative and funny forensics crime story often has characters with unique personalities. The forensic scientist could be a bit of a klutz but still brilliant at his job. The way evidence is discovered can be humorous too. Maybe the clue is found in a really strange place, like inside a box of donuts at the crime scene. And the motives of the criminals should be out - of - the - ordinary. For instance, the criminal steals a car just to have a mobile home for his pet hamster.
Well, awkwardness can be really funny. Like the old lady trying to reach the cereal and a little kid coming to the rescue in a rather unorthodox way. Also, when people overreact or underreact in a situation. If the man in the coffee shop had just calmly let the cat walk on the keyboard without any fuss, it would have been equally funny. And of course, misunderstandings can create really humorous situations.
The absurdity of the crime itself. For example, stealing only purple items from a house. It's so out - of - the - ordinary that it makes the story funny.
Unexpected motives can make a true crime story strange. For example, if a killer has a very bizarre reason for choosing their victims, like the Axeman of New Orleans targeting Italian grocers for some unknown reason related to his own warped sense of justice or revenge. Another element is the behavior of the criminal during or after the crime. The Zodiac Killer sending ciphers and taunting the police was very strange. It's not the normal behavior of a criminal who just wants to get away with the crime. They seem to be playing a game with the authorities.
One element is the character of the criminal. If the criminal has a complex personality, like being a normal person on the outside but having a devious side, it makes the story interesting. For example, in the story of Jack above, he was just an ordinary townsperson but had a secret desire for jewels. Another element is the method of the crime. Clever and elaborate plans, like the thieves digging a tunnel to the bank vault, add intrigue. Also, the element of surprise and the unexpected, such as the bank having a new security system that the thieves didn't anticipate, can make an original crime story engaging.
A funny warning story often has an element of absurdity. Consider a warning in a swimming pool that says 'Beware of the invisible mermaids. They might steal your swim goggles.' This is completely absurd yet funny. Also, when a warning makes light of a common fear or annoyance. For example, a sign in an elevator that says 'Warning: This elevator may have its own ideas about which floor to stop at. Don't be alarmed, it's just being quirky.' It takes the inconvenience of a sometimes - faulty elevator and makes it humorous.
Unexpected twists also make a bedtime story funny. Like in 'The Princess and the Pea', the fact that a pea under so many mattresses can make the princess uncomfortable is quite unexpected. It goes against what we would normally think and that's what makes it humorous.
One element is the unexpected twist. Say, a group of campers are preparing for a night of horror stories, but then a friendly deer shows up and starts eating their popcorn. Another is self - deprecating humor. If the storyteller includes themselves in a comical situation like getting lost and ending up at their own campsite from the other side. Also, relatable situations like when the tent collapses in the middle of the night can be really funny if told right.
One key element is surprise. For example, if you have a story about a little boy going to school. All of a sudden, his schoolbag turns into a flying saucer and takes him to outer space. This unexpected turn will make the readers laugh. Another element is exaggeration. If you're writing about a hungry man, don't just say he's a bit hungry, say he could eat an entire elephant. And of course, funny characters help too. Like a detective who is always getting his clues mixed up.