I can understand your point, J, and perhaps I'm being too fussy in regards to reasons why Columbo might suspect Dale. My personal favorite episode in the first season (and one of my favorites in the series) is "Death Lends a Hand". In that episode, of course, Columbo first suspects Brimmer when he reads his palm and feels the ring, but one can almost get the impression that Columbo already had some suspicion about Brimmer even before doing the reading, and he decided to read Brimmer's palm specifically to cement the suspicion he already had. So in this instance, too (and perhaps I'm reading too much into things) it almost seems Columbo's suspicion is inexplicable. Somehow with that episode, though, it doesn't bother me so much that there's immediate suspicion (again, if there is any at all; I might just be seeing something that isn't intended), so I feel the frustration I have with "Suitable for Framing" must come from the sum of all its parts, rather than that one aspect alone. I suppose this sense of incredulity I feel toward "Suitable's" plot may stem from my general preference for a murderer who is played more straight, with less of the perpetual sneer and arrogance I feel Dale and a few other murderers have. Of course, one of the appeals of the show is to have a humble detective catch an arrogant culprit, but I personally tend to like it best when that arrogance is toned down just a little, such as in "Death Lends a Hand", "Playback", and the one that will always be my favorite, "Etude in Black". For me, the less bravado and showmanship the murderer has, the more believable the overall episode seems to be. Of course, one great thing about the series is that it offers a wide range of relationships between Columbo and the murderer, as well as a great variety in tone and atmosphere, so although "Suitable for Framing" isn't one of my overall favorites, I do enjoy it immensely for its own unique charms.
I do agree about "Any Old Port in a Storm". Though I wouldn't count it among my least favorite, it does seem rather overrated. And "Fade Into Murder" is one of the episodes I've watched the least, along with "Lovely But Lethal".
By the way, I want to apologize, Archideus; I realize things have strayed quite far from your original topic, but I'm glad we've been able to discuss these things. Thank you for your graciousness in allowing this deviation from your original topic!

I know this is jut a movie, but I don't believe Columbo would go with all of this in real life. If in fact he didn't know whether these were the stolen paintings he touched and that was just a hunch, then if Columbo would be wrong he would have nothing on Dale and Dale would know that Columbo suspects him and leave the country or something. The only thing that saves this ending is the reaction of Dale and if that was just Columbo's bluff. Just like the reaction of that detective looking for the contact lense in the trunk of the car. In that episode Columbo himself said, that the reaction of the murderer incriminated him and not the evidence. Maybe Columbo just assumed (basing on how Dale reacted when Columbo wanted to see what he had in the bag), that he touched the stolen paitings in Dale's apartment and risked confronting him with his theory. But that was careless in my opinion. They found fingerprints on the paintings, but at that point they could not know that they were in fact Columbo's. The would have to make the lab verify that. It would be ok for me if Columbo would check it in the lab first and then confront Dale. After being 100% sure his theory was right. Just like in the episode with the General what's-his-name. Columbo FIRST had the pistol checked in the lab and THEN confronted the General about it being the murder weapon.

Columbo also suspected Dale because of the high heels going down the back stairs,what burgler/murderer wears high heels to a house break in.That is why he set up the demonstration with the policewoman and the security guard said that was what he heard.He knew he had a helper and that he was setting up an alibi by asking the valet to look in his trunk for his cufflink and making sure for people to know that he was at the gallery at the time of the murder by asking the time.