Science of Deduction Part 2

Observation

One of the most important things to do is to not to see but to both see and observe. Sherlock Holmes once asked Watson in the Scandal in Bohemia how many steps there were leading from the ground floor to their room upstairs. Though he walked them hundreds of times Watson said that he did not know their number. Sherlock Holmes provided the correct answer and made that statement. “You see but do not observe. I see and observe.”
Observation is more than seeing. I could see someone walk into the room. I will observe to a certain degree as well. I will make an assumption as to their gender and age. But outside of those observations the average person stops his analysis. Why is this? It is because we have not trained ourselves to be able to use other information that is equally as obvious to tell us about the person.
Observation alone is not enough you may observe something without deducing from it. For example, in the Scandal of Bohemia Sherlock Holmes observes several lacerations on the side sole of Watson’s shoe and deduces that Watson has recently been out in the foul weather and has a sloppy and careless maid. Now, seeing would just show us Watson wearing shoes. Observing would show us the cuts in the side of his shoes. Deduction would tell us he has been in bad weather and that he has a careless maid. This is the process the famous detective used.
During this process and especially when using this process in a criminal investigation there are certain rules which must be followed. Yes the above process is simple. So is driving a car. But just as there are rules for safe driving so you do not ere, there are rules governing seeing, observation, and deduction so that you do not ere in your conclusion.

Do Not Try to Deduce Without Proper Facts

This works hand in hand with the next rule. If one tries to understand the truth without all the proper facts your mind will have to fill in the blanks and will lead to improper conclusions.

Do Not Guess
It should be emphasized that guessing will skew your ability to see objectively. By guessing one brings conclusions into the equation that could not have been brought in with mere observation. Violation of this rule happens most often when you neglect following the first rule. But it must be noted that this can also happen once you gather all the facts. It is natural to man to surmise events without truly knowing if the facts allow for such a theory. These two rules are the easiest to break and should be carefully followed.