Identified! FL - Big Cypress Natl Preserve, Male Hiker, Denim & “Mostly Harmless” July 2018 - Vance Rodriguez #3

[branmuffin]

Yes, I spoke with Taxonomy online. Screeps definitely seems like the narrowest area to target, certainly a smaller range than the Brooklyn tech community. The founder of Screeps doesn’t seem as confident that we’ll be able to get a user Id from what we have in the notebooks.

experts I’ve had review the notebook said it was lucid and the signs of a developer/programmer who likely has a good career.

Do people in that career move around a lot? Would a person with a good career as a developer just up and leave a job for a better position without letting his coworkers or boss know?

I guess if a developer was talking about a game strategy and spoke of getting a taste for the real thing to incorporate reality into a game some coworkers may not question if he ever came back to work. It seems the profession is very competitive and others, knowing his name, might try to find out online how successful his endeavor was, only to find he'd disappeared into the ether.

 

[Valiant]

Do people in that career move around a lot? Would a person with a good career as a developer just up and leave a job for a better position without letting his coworkers or boss know?

I guess if a developer was talking about a game strategy and spoke of getting a taste for the real thing to incorporate reality into a game some coworkers may not question if he ever came back to work. It seems the profession is very competitive and others, knowing his name, might try to find out online how successful his endeavor was, only to find he'd disappeared into the ether.

My opinion of the high tech jobs - people move around a lot. if you've got a skill that's in demand switching employers is often the only way to get a nice bump in pay. I've lost count of the number of software programmers I've worked with over the years. It's a constant revolving door of talent.

 

[branmuffin]

My opinion of the high tech jobs - people move around a lot. if you've got a skill that's in demand switching employers is often the only way to get a nice bump in pay. I've lost count of the number of software programmers I've worked with over the years. It's a constant revolving door of talent.

Do developers brainstorm regarding ideas they have for future games or software or do they keep their ideas to themselves due to piracy of ideas?

 

[carbuff]

My opinion of the high tech jobs - people move around a lot. if you've got a skill that's in demand switching employers is often the only way to get a nice bump in pay. I've lost count of the number of software programmers I've worked with over the years. It's a constant revolving door of talent.

I worked in computers my whole career and yeah, this is exactly true. Lots of movement, no problem finding a new job, lots of places to go. Software companies have been doing telecommuting and remote work since the 1980s so you can find top companies in some very small communities, and developers working across the country from their main office, and all the rest.

Game programming is a bit of a specialty though, and I have an impression (my opinion only) that perhaps he was working in a different area and trying to move into game development.

 

[Armalita]

Thanks for sharing this - I found his link on the Doe Network and it sounds like he purposefully disappeared from Maine. It also sounds like he was someone with some level of outdoor savvy to have been living (from the little description offered) "off the grid" in 2003 and Denim (erportedly) started out as a fairly clueless outdoors-person. I do see some facial similarities - has anyone else offered an opinion?

Exactly. I've been waiting for someone else to look at this. Not much to go on. But sounds like it could be him.

 

[Ursamajr]

Thanks for sharing this - I found his link on the Doe Network and it sounds like he purposefully disappeared from Maine. It also sounds like he was someone with some level of outdoor savvy to have been living (from the little description offered) "off the grid" in 2003 and Denim (erportedly) started out as a fairly clueless outdoors-person. I do see some facial similarities - has anyone else offered an opinion?

I don't see any resemblance between MH and JJH. The chin, ears, nose, space between the eyes, hairline, corners of the mouth and how deep the eyes sit don't match to me. Of course it is JMO.

 

[Blueberry2720]

Exactly. I've been waiting for someone else to look at this. Not much to go on. But sounds like it could be him.

I don't quite understand why posters here continue to surf the missing and unidentified websites like Doe, NamUs, etc. I understand the initial motive, but Collier Co. and all the LE on this case - and any other case - reviews these database entries all the time. They have repeatedly told the public this and asked that people NOT continue to submit names from these sites. LE is fully aware of the entries and it takes up their time when people submit names these folks are already familiar with. I know people mean well, but it is really counterproductive. Not pointing fingers at any one poster; it is just that I see posters quite often finding someone they think looks like MH/Denim, asking others for their thoughts, and then submitting the info to LE.
JMO

 

[branmuffin]

I don't quite understand why posters here continue to surf the missing and unidentified websites like Doe, NamUs, etc. I understand the initial motive, but Collier Co. and all the LE on this case - and any other case - reviews these database entries all the time. They have repeatedly told the public this and asked that people NOT continue to submit names from these sites. LE is fully aware of the entries and it takes up their time when people submit names these folks are already familiar with. I know people mean well, but it is really counterproductive. Not pointing fingers at any one poster; it is just that I see posters quite often finding someone they think looks like MH/Denim, asking others for their thoughts, and then submitting the info to LE.
JMO

I would imagine that some hikers like Obsidian who came forward to identify Denim from the images that were provided to LE has probably viewed lots of images of missing men and nixed them all. Everyone who met him said his height was around 5 feet 8 inches. I know you can grow taller but you can't shrink. Of all the exclusions currently on Namus for Denim, only one held any promise, in my opinion, same blue/gray eyes, scar on stomach, etc. but was over 6 feet tall.

 

[Narkj]

Agreed on the missing persons angle. It’s bizarre but I think everyone wants the case solved and it’s something to do.

 

[Valiant]

Do developers brainstorm regarding ideas they have for future games or software or do they keep their ideas to themselves due to piracy of ideas?

Typically non-disclosure agreements, intellectual property agreements, and even non-compete clauses are in force to protect the legal interests of the employing company. in other words, if you come up with an idea while working for XYZ company in your normal line of work - the company basically owns it.

 

[MichelleBlue]

I don't quite understand why posters here continue to surf the missing and unidentified websites like Doe, NamUs, etc. I understand the initial motive, but Collier Co. and all the LE on this case - and any other case - reviews these database entries all the time. They have repeatedly told the public this and asked that people NOT continue to submit names from these sites. LE is fully aware of the entries and it takes up their time when people submit names these folks are already familiar with. I know people mean well, but it is really counterproductive. Not pointing fingers at any one poster; it is just that I see posters quite often finding someone they think looks like MH/Denim, asking others for their thoughts, and then submitting the info to LE.
JMO

Although I get what you are saying, imo, I also think LE has not ruled out every single missing male in the entire nation. In fact, they have a running list on Namus of who has actually been ruled out. Also, remember on WS because of tos we can only discuss missing persons as possible matches. So, that is a big part of it at least here at WS.

 

[CCJD]

Although I get what you are saying, imo, I also think LE has not ruled out every single missing male in the entire nation. In fact, they have a running list on Namus of who has actually been ruled out. Also, remember on WS because of tos we can only discuss missing persons as possible matches. So, that is a big part of it at least here at WS.

BBM

The publicly viewable exclusions on NamUs are those who have been ruled out via biometric data: dentals, fingerprints or DNA. There may be additional rule outs based on non-biometric data: height, weight, tats, piercings, etc. but those are not viewable to the public.

 

[MadMcGoo]

The day we start stopping our “counterproductive efforts” is just another day that another case grows one more day colder.

The day every law enforcement agency working these cases goes without overlooking something or inadvertently making a mistake is one for the history books.

The ones who are willing and eager to help find the thousands of people who are missing or help identify the thousands more whose names are yet to be returned to them after death are more often than not the ones law enforcement agencies are thankful for.

These popular databases are also updated almost daily, meaning even more people who need our help are being added as missing or unidentified bodies. This also means names are going to appear that agencies aren’t aware of yet. Yes, they might become aware around the same time as everyone else or maybe they could use the volunteered effort made by someone bringing a fresh lead to their attention.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve suggested some ridiculous theories on this site. Theories that, to professionals or seasoned sleuths, are obviously, and very likely, annoying and laughable. But, thanks to some kind members who took the time to provide encouragement and/or constructive criticism, I’ve grown as a “sleuth”.

There’s nothing more discouraging (in my opinion, when it comes to this community) than to have someone suggest or insinuate that I’m wasting my time. Some of us have nothing but time. Which frankly could be spent doing much worse things.

If the Collier County Sheriff’s Office wasn’t open to outside assistance, I have a feeling they’d not be hesitant in letting the public know as much. Sure, repetitive negative match suggestions probably get annoying, but someone is going to find the match. I don’t want to see that someone (because we never know who it could be) give up before then.

So, in my honest and humble opinion, don’t start stopping!

(good job on the code/journals by the way!!!)

 

[branmuffin]

BBM

The publicly viewable exclusions on NamUs are those who have been ruled out via biometric data: dentals, fingerprints or DNA. There may be additional rule outs based on non-biometric data: height, weight, tats, piercings, etc. but those are not viewable to the public.[/QUOTE

What would the reason be for not having exclusions based on that criteria be hidden from the public? Other than individuals who may have not been reported missing?

 

[branmuffin]

What would the reason be for not having exclusions based on that criteria be hidden from the public? Other than individuals who may have not been reported missing?

 

[CCJD]

What would the reason be for not having exclusions based on that criteria be hidden from the public? Other than individuals who may have not been reported missing?

Because NamUs won't accept any exclusion on anything but dental, DNA or prints.

Back when NamUs 2.0 was first launched, there used to be a number of exclusions for each case in NamUs. If memory serves, it was near the top right, next to Tools. That number did not always match the number of exclusions that showed when you clicked on "Comparisons". So I asked Todd Matthews (NamUs) about it.

The particular case I asked him about (one that he and I have had more than a passing interest in for many years) showed 48 Exclusions but, when I clicked on Comparisons, only 33 were listed. The 33 listed were all ruled out by biometric data. The 15 hidden were added by LE or ME/Coroners but were ruled out by other, non-biometric data and, since NamUs only accepts DNA, Dentals and Prints as definitive rule-outs, those "other" rule outs were never publicly viewable.

It was shortly after that discussion that the Exclusions number disappeared from the it's place up near Tools. Probably to avoid confusion for public viewers. But the "other" rule outs are still in there to be viewed by those with higher access than us.

 

[Armalita]

I don't quite understand why posters here continue to surf the missing and unidentified websites like Doe, NamUs, etc. I understand the initial motive, but Collier Co. and all the LE on this case - and any other case - reviews these database entries all the time. They have repeatedly told the public this and asked that people NOT continue to submit names from these sites. LE is fully aware of the entries and it takes up their time when people submit names these folks are already familiar with. I know people mean well, but it is really counterproductive. Not pointing fingers at any one poster; it is just that I see posters quite often finding someone they think looks like MH/Denim, asking others for their thoughts, and then submitting the info to LE.
JMO

Sorry I was just trying to id him. People look different as they age and since the missing person I posted has been missing all those years surly he looks different. Sorry again but when I came here years ago I came to help. Guess I will find a dfferent resource

 

[branmuffin]

Because NamUs won't accept any exclusion on anything but dental, DNA or prints.

Back when NamUs 2.0 was first launched, there used to be a number of exclusions for each case in NamUs. If memory serves, it was near the top right, next to Tools. That number did not always match the number of exclusions that showed when you clicked on "Comparisons". So I asked Todd Matthews (NamUs) about it.

The particular case I asked him about (one that he and I have had more than a passing interest in for many years) showed 48 Exclusions but, when I clicked on Comparisons, only 33 were listed. The 33 listed were all ruled out by biometric data. The 15 hidden were added by LE or ME/Coroners but were ruled out by other, non-biometric data and, since NamUs only accepts DNA, Dentals and Prints as definitive rule-outs, those "other" rule outs were never publicly viewable.

It was shortly after that discussion that the Exclusions number disappeared from the it's place up near Tools. Probably to avoid confusion for public viewers. But the "other" rule outs are still in there to be viewed by those with higher access than us.

Thank you for such a detailed answer. It makes it difficult for us in terms of submitting possible matches for comparison when they may have already been excluded. Easy for Namus to kick them out when they have a secondary source for exclusion, though.

The problem would be if there are no fingerprints on file or no living relatives to provide DNA. What if someone had a unique tattoo that was identified by a friend of the deceased or a unique piece of jewelry? Would they not make a tentative identification and try to see if there are extended family to compare DNA? Or would the UID just languish in the files?

 

[CCJD]

Thank you for such a detailed answer. It makes it difficult for us in terms of submitting possible matches for comparison when they may have already been excluded. Easy for Namus to kick them out when they have a secondary source for exclusion, though.

The problem would be if there are no fingerprints on file or no living relatives to provide DNA. What if someone had a unique tattoo that was identified by a friend of the deceased or a unique piece of jewelry? Would they not make a tentative identification and try to see if there are extended family to compare DNA? Or would the UID just languish in the files?

The way I put it to Todd was "that's a lot of possible matches sitting in limbo."

His response: "More like a lot of likely exclusions not being accepted due to lack of biometric. Obviously one can often visually determine an exclusion but not enough science to accept as scientific fact. The potential resolve?? Agencies that have biometrics available but not uploaded, need to upload. An X-ray in a filing cabinet is not "available" (in my opinion) unless they are also directly accessible. Same with print cards. The print classification are not as good as the actual print card."

 

[branmuffin]

The way I put it to Todd was "that's a lot of possible matches sitting in limbo."

His response: "More like a lot of likely exclusions not being accepted due to lack of biometric. Obviously one can often visually determine an exclusion but not enough science to accept as scientific fact. The potential resolve?? Agencies that have biometrics available but not uploaded, need to upload. An X-ray in a filing cabinet is not "available" (in my opinion) unless they are also directly accessible. Same with print cards. The print classification are not as good as the actual print card."

So it does sound like they are keeping the secondary exclusions until perhaps a biometric match can be made. Does Namus use DNA submitted to ancestry sites?