Solving the problem was never Columbo's biggest challenge. It was "How can I spend several days or weeks sadistically tormenting the perpetrator before he/she m

Solving the problem was never Columbo's biggest challenge. It was "How can I spend several days or weeks sadistically tormenting the perpetrator before he/she makes some massive blunder?". The thrill for Columbo was in toying with the suspect, fostering FUD, provoking their conscience to eat away at them. In some ways, Columbo was a much sicker person than many of the criminals he brought to justice.