With DNA analysis, it would have to be a case where the body isn't found. A look-alike wouldn't cut it (even a burned-beyond-recognition one) unless there was some accomplice to fake identification tests. Maybe he could bribe or blackmail someone in helping him fake his death.
Drowning works because it's plausible that a body might not be found in those cases. You might have to legal research some if there needs to be some formal declaration of death rather then everyone just assuming he's dead.
So it could be a faked suicide - leave the car and a suicide note by a bridge with a road flowing river leading out to sea or something. He could fake a scuba-diving accident or maybe he goes canoeing/boating out to sea and just disappears with just the boat and evidence of an accident/death (some blood even) but no body found. Maybe a boat exploding could work if you want a big bang with some "witnesses".
Okay, I've got this. First, the guy could lie on his back with his arms back and elbows bent with his palms upward and his fingers slightly bent and have his eyes open with kind of a glassy stare and his tongue hanging out to the side and anyone who happened upon him would probably think he was dead... Or he could lie on his back with his arms to his sides and stick a butcher knife between his arm and his ribs and again, anyone who came along would likely think him dead... There are so many possibilities really.
Two out of three answerers think your character should commit murder. The cops will arrest him for murder the moment after he reappears - so he can't reappear where he disappeared. I suggest leaving a few suicide notes in his home and office, parking his car near a fast moving river (or, if he is a good swimmer, driving his car into a fast moving river.) The police will search for a body, but they won't be surprised if they can't find it.
He knows of an identical look-a-like who lives in Canada and he tricks him into driving his, the detective's, own car in which the brake lines are cut and crashes and burns.
Look for a homeless rough sleeper of similar height and build. Give him lots of booze until he passes out. Carry him to the detective's house/flat/office, dress him in the detective's clothes. Pour lots of vodka around the place; turn on the gas; light a match.
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With DNA analysis, it would have to be a case where the body isn't found. A look-alike wouldn't cut it (even a burned-beyond-recognition one) unless there was some accomplice to fake identification tests. Maybe he could bribe or blackmail someone in helping him fake his death.
Drowning works because it's plausible that a body might not be found in those cases. You might have to legal research some if there needs to be some formal declaration of death rather then everyone just assuming he's dead.
So it could be a faked suicide - leave the car and a suicide note by a bridge with a road flowing river leading out to sea or something. He could fake a scuba-diving accident or maybe he goes canoeing/boating out to sea and just disappears with just the boat and evidence of an accident/death (some blood even) but no body found. Maybe a boat exploding could work if you want a big bang with some "witnesses".
Happy writing.
Is it important to the story?
Will its reveal later be of significance, like "10 Little Indians" ?
Okay, I've got this. First, the guy could lie on his back with his arms back and elbows bent with his palms upward and his fingers slightly bent and have his eyes open with kind of a glassy stare and his tongue hanging out to the side and anyone who happened upon him would probably think he was dead... Or he could lie on his back with his arms to his sides and stick a butcher knife between his arm and his ribs and again, anyone who came along would likely think him dead... There are so many possibilities really.
That depends on why he's faking his death, wouldn't it?
Two out of three answerers think your character should commit murder. The cops will arrest him for murder the moment after he reappears - so he can't reappear where he disappeared. I suggest leaving a few suicide notes in his home and office, parking his car near a fast moving river (or, if he is a good swimmer, driving his car into a fast moving river.) The police will search for a body, but they won't be surprised if they can't find it.
He knows of an identical look-a-like who lives in Canada and he tricks him into driving his, the detective's, own car in which the brake lines are cut and crashes and burns.
Most stories of people faking there deaths involves them going out to sea and supposedly drowning.
Look for a homeless rough sleeper of similar height and build. Give him lots of booze until he passes out. Carry him to the detective's house/flat/office, dress him in the detective's clothes. Pour lots of vodka around the place; turn on the gas; light a match.