# Lateral Thinking Puzzles - third time is best! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 18, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214 "2023-07-18T13:39:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/301 "2023-08-06T19:57:26Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I don’t think @Saint_Cad 's guess is completely correct, I’d be shocked if it was anywhere near correct but I was going for the honorable mention of “Most Lateral Incorrect Answer”. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/302 "2023-08-06T21:27:48Z")
> [@Ana\_Byrd](#): > > Is the man’s cause of death relevant? > > YES, though it is not the solution itself. Would knowing the cause of death help to lead to the solution ? Was the dog buried in the graveyard without the man? Was the man buried in the graveyard without the dog ? Is it anything to do with payment ? Did he die before all the relevant paper work could be completed ? ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/303 "2023-08-06T21:52:48Z")
Did the man die of anything that might fall into the broad category of “natural causes”? Was he killed in an accident? As the result of foul play? Because of medical malpractice? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/304 "2023-08-06T22:20:35Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Were both man and dog bodies available? YES. But I would investigate some aspects of this general topic more. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > It was a military cemetery and the man was a veteran and the dog was a military dog. After the man died and was buried the dog was dishonorably discharged and so couldn’t be buried in the military cemetery. NO > [@Chronos](#): > > Was it a military cemetery? > > NO > > If the circumstances were exactly the same except without the dog, would the man have been buried in the cemetery? > > POSSIBLY - I’m not sure. MAYBE > [@pjd](#): > > Would knowing the cause of death help to lead to the solution ? > > **Cause of death and really everything involving his death in general would help.** > > Was the dog buried in the graveyard without the man? > > **YES** , a few days before he died. > > Was the man buried in the graveyard without the dog ? > > **POSSIBLY**. But not with his dog. I’m sure of that. > > Is it anything to do with payment ? Did he die before all the relevant > paper work could be completed ? > > NO > [@dirtball](#): > > Did the man die of anything that might fall into the broad category of “natural causes”? > > NO > > Was he killed in an accident? > > YES > > As the result of foul play? > > NO > > Because of medical malpractice? > > NO ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/305 "2023-08-06T23:34:24Z")
So, killed in an accident. Did he die immediately? Or did he die later, most likely but not necessarily at a hospital? Is it important to know the location of the accident? Did it happen at the cemetery? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/306 "2023-08-06T23:51:11Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > So, killed in an accident. Did he die immediately? > > On the scene. But I can’t say immediately or instantly. But yes, basically quite quickly. > > Or did he die later, most likely but not necessarily at a hospital? > > NO. Died on scene. > > Is it important to know the location of the accident? > > YES > > Did it happen at the cemetery? > > NO Good questions. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/307 "2023-08-06T23:54:15Z")
Is the size of the dog relevant? Did the dog have any “job”, other than being an ordinary pet? (hunch here) Did the lack of the dog contribute in any way to the man’s death? ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/308 "2023-08-07T00:09:30Z")
Did the man die in the same city where the cemetery was located? Same state (or equivalent thereof, if applicable, if he didn’t die in the US)? Same country? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/309 "2023-08-07T00:32:40Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Is the size of the dog relevant? > > NO > > Did the dog have any “job”, other than being an ordinary pet? > > NO > > (hunch here) Did the lack of the dog contribute in any way to the man’s death? > > NO The dog is just a dog, his pet. He loved it and wanted to be put in the same spot of the cemetery. I > [@dirtball](#): > > Did the man die in the same city where the cemetery was located? > Same state (or equivalent thereof, if applicable, if he didn’t die in the US)? > Same country? IRRELEVANT - I’d say probably same state and country. No idea on city. It’s irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/310 "2023-08-07T00:39:45Z")
The fatal accident: Did he fall from a height (including, possibly, down stairs)? Was it a floor- or ground-level fall (maybe slipping, or having a cat run under his feet)? Did something fall on him? Was it a traffic accident with him in a vehicle? Was he run over as a pedestrian? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/311 "2023-08-07T00:46:27Z")
> [@dirtball](#): > > Did he fall from a height (including, possibly, down stairs)? > Was it a floor- or ground-level fall (maybe slipping, or having a cat run under his feet)? > Did something fall on him? > Was it a traffic accident with him in a vehicle? > Was he run over as a pedestrian? NO to everything. ---
**Author:** ![Ana\_Byrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ana\_Byrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ana_Byrd)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/312 "2023-08-07T00:50:43Z")
Was the condition of his body the relevant factor? Did he die in a notable historical event? ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/313 "2023-08-07T00:56:57Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Was the dog buried in the graveyard without the man? > > **YES** , a few days before he died. The poor dog buried alive and took a few days to die. Was the dog buried alive? (just to make sure you meant the dog was buried a few days before the man died) Was the man’s death caused or partially caused by the death of the dog? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/314 "2023-08-07T01:00:18Z")
> [@Ana\_Byrd](#): > > Was the condition of his body the relevant factor? > > YES, but that is not all there is to it. > > Did he die in a notable historical event? > > NO > [@Jegpeg](#): > > The poor dog buried alive and took a few days to die. > Was the dog buried alive? (just to make sure you meant the dog was buried a few days before the man died) > > NO > > Was the man’s death caused or partially caused by the death of the dog? > > NO - dog’s death unrelated. It is a coincidence they died so close in time, just a few days. Word count… ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/315 "2023-08-07T01:09:49Z")
Did the man’s death involve: Fire? Firearms? Electricity? Lightning? Any type of vehicle? Falling? Toxic substance? Infection? Blunt force trauma? Crushing? Piercing damage? Suffocation/ drowning/ choking? Starvation/ thirst? Drug/ alcohol related? (Anyone, feel free to add to this list any possible cause of death I didn’t think of) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/316 "2023-08-07T01:27:21Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Did the man’s death involve: > Fire? > Firearms? > Electricity? > Lightning? > Any type of vehicle? > Falling? > Toxic substance? > Infection? > Blunt force trauma? > Crushing? > Piercing damage? > Suffocation/ drowning/ choking? > Starvation/ thirst? > Drug/ alcohol related?. Fire. ---
**Author:** ![Ana\_Byrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ana\_Byrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ana_Byrd)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/317 "2023-08-07T01:48:01Z")
So, fire. What can fire do to a body… Did the fire make him too fragile to be moved? Or too rigid to fit in the grave? Or stuck to the place where he died? Or in some other way make him physically difficult to bury in that plot? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/318 "2023-08-07T01:51:43Z")
> [@Ana\_Byrd](#): > > Did the fire make him too fragile to be moved? > > NO > > Or too rigid to fit in the grave? > > NO > > Or stuck to the place where he died? > > NO. Disgusting(and no). > > Or in some other way make him physically difficult to bury in that plot? > > NO Good questions. ---
**Author:** ![Ana\_Byrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Ana\_Byrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ana_Byrd)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/319 "2023-08-07T02:14:50Z")
Was the body misidentified? Was he buried elsewhere by mistake? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214/320 "2023-08-07T02:43:09Z")
> [@Ana\_Byrd](#): > > Was the body misidentified? > > POSSIBLY. > > Was he buried elsewhere by mistake? > > YES to being buried elsewhere. Mistake? I mean, they had no choice. yeppers [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-third-time-is-best/987214.md?page=17)