Web Sleuthing Tips?

[LifeoftheSearchParty]

Now that I retired (relatively young) from the corporate world, I have more time to do what I would really love: websleuthing

I can't see myself going through a police academy or getting a degree in Criminal Justice. I would like to be a private investigator but you need a license, and experience but to get that experience you need a license....

So websleuthing would be perfect: set my own hours, pick my cases, etc. I don't care about getting paid. If anyone wants me to help them or give me some suggestions on how to get started, I would really appreciate it.

I am mostly interested in cold cases for missing persons and homicide in my state (CT). I love doing research in this area. I definitely picked the wrong profession many years ago.

 

[charminglane]

Hi, and welcome.
I used to write up reports for an investigator.
You could try that.
My grammar was better.

 

[margarita25]

Now that I retired (relatively young) from the corporate world, I have more time to do what I would really love: websleuthing

I can't see myself going through a police academy or getting a degree in Criminal Justice. I would like to be a private investigator but you need a license, and experience but to get that experience you need a license....

So websleuthing would be perfect: set my own hours, pick my cases, etc. I don't care about getting paid. If anyone wants me to help them or give me some suggestions on how to get started, I would really appreciate it.

I am mostly interested in cold cases for missing persons and homicide in my state (CT). I love doing research in this area. I definitely picked the wrong profession many years ago.

(Busy in another thread right now but marking spot to reply. Welcome!)

 

[watcher9]

Welcome to Websleuths.
I don't know if any of this will help but it can give you some ideas.

Clicking on this site could get you started.
CT Missing Links

I just did a Google search for you for Connecticut missing persons. The results were too numerous to list. You could click on any one of them to get more info.

I then did a similar search adding Websleuths at the end and it gave me links to eight cases just on the first page.

Or simply, just pick a case and start reading the thread to bring you up to speed and then dive in.

You may find that you will gravitate to a certain kind of case, whether it be young children, elderly persons, male, female, unidentified remains found, etc. You may change your mind at any time.

Enjoy your retirement and just have fun in this new endeavor you are undertaking.

 

[burblestein]

When I joined this site recently, I just jumped right in, but that's me. I do wish there was a thread or threads dedicated to sharing sleuthing tips, though. It would serve as a place to trade sleuthing tips.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

This is just one of the links I use to find information such as family members, last addresses, even phone numbers. Sometimes it helps me find a FB of someone with a common name by locating the FB of a family member with a less common name. And it can also help me verify that I have the right FB of a MP.
100% Free Genealogy - FamilyTreeNow.com

I also like hauziz. You can search addresses here. It's helpful finding out who owns a particular home. Sometimes when you only have a name and a block number to work with, you can pinpoint the actual address here.
Hauziz

As always, please be aware of the Websleuths' TOS when posting information you discover.

ETA: I'm always looking for tips that anyone is willing to share.

 

[LifeoftheSearchParty]

Thanks a lot everyone. Can't wait to get started!

 

[burblestein]

First, do your research to locate local newspapers. With the shift from print to internet, that means an online search. You may locate some new online newspapers not affiliated with the print versions. You may also locate news archives.

You may want to check Newspapers(dot)com to see if they archive any of your local papers.

To news sites you can add your local LE websites, such as the DA, Sheriff, or other police sites.

The internet is going to be a prime tool. Give some thought to your search terms. For instance, "John Archimedes Smith" is best looked for originally as "Archimedes", not "John" or "Smith". You'll reap a much shorter search list, and you can use any info to limit returns for further searches for "John Smith".

Above all, don't rule out intuition in your search efforts. Intuition is often your subconscious making connections between facts that your rational mind did not notice.

 

[margarita25]

My first tip is know how to search the RSO registries.
Search " registered sex offenders denver" ( for example).

 

[margarita25]

Know how to sleuth a person's criminal history by typing in their name followed by "arrest" or " mugshot".

 

[margarita25]

Take advantage of google street view and satellite photos for studying crime scene locations, etc.

 

[margarita25]

Sometimes comments on social media or underneath msm articles can be helpful (or distracting/rumor).

 

[margarita25]

Know these sites: NamUs, NCMEC, Charley Project.

Know these irganizations: CUE, TES, Klass Kids.

*there are some others as well.

 

[margarita25]

Know how to research other possible cases which might or might not be related by researching online via date and location to find others missing, found, attempted abducted, etc. Utilize state gov't mp webpages.

 

[margarita25]

Know how to utilize and follow local LE social media pages such as their twitters and fb.

I realize many of these tips are more beneficial in current cases. IMO cold cases are much more challenging as their are less electronic footprints and articles available. Your local library, microfiche, etc can be helpful.

 

[margarita25]

Utilize weather websites (past conditions for dates in question as well as future re: potential decomp factors, searches, etc.)

Some basic tips off the top off my mind. There are more I'm sure I'll think of.

Happy sleuthing!

 

[Laughing]

Many states have court information on-line, get familiar with CaseNet for a few states!

 

[LifeoftheSearchParty]

Wow....thanks!

 

[Wire154a]

Since here on WS one spends much time sifting through information gleaned from media and then posting said info, taking the time to know how to quote from sources is time well-spent. It's not difficult, and, as with anything else worth doing, it's worth doing correctly, and well.

 

[margarita25]

Know these sites: NamUs, NCMEC, Charley Project.

Know these irganizations: CUE, TES, Klass Kids.

*there are some others as well.

Om g tech diifs..KLAAS KIDS