Where to Find the Best Online Detective Forums (and Help Solve True Crimes)
Everyone loves a good detective story, and some netizens have taken that to the next level. Investigation forums and online crime-solving groups have sprung up online that allow ordinary people to help solve high-profile cases.
Where can I find online crime solving groups?
You don’t need to be a professional detective to help solve mysteries and bring criminals to justice. Even Attorney General Merrick Garland has said that the Justice Department’s efforts “are not possible without the continued help of the American public.” Whether you want to learn about an investigation or apply your detective skills, online crime-solving groups are a great place to start. Here you can find them and join them.
Crime Investigation Forums
Crime Investigation Forums are one of the most popular and easily accessible places to get started. Subreddits such as Unsolved Mysteries and the Reddit Bureau of Investigation (RBI) discuss new or unsolved cases and allow users to pool their resources to investigate.
The RBI helped solve many cases, including the identification of a forgery and the reunification of letters from the 40s with living relatives of the family. Other forums include the Sleuth Syndicate and Websleuths , which have helped solve several murder cases.
These crime forums may be informal, but their entries speak for themselves. Whether you want to learn more about current cases for fun or develop investigative skills for a formal career, these sites are an easy way to get involved.
Detective Group Sites
Some online crime-solving groups are larger and more organized. Detective groups with dedicated websites are often a more formal yet affordable way to do amateur detective work.
Many of these groups are more specific than search forums like RBI. Sedition Hunters helps track down people involved in the January 6 Capitol uprising, while DoeNetwork focuses on cold cases involving unknown individuals. Although these groups may not post discussion threads, they still allow users to help.
You can upload potential clues, offer advice, and connect with other amateur researchers on these sites, even if you don’t join them. Members can work with others to help law enforcement solve open or cold cases.
Start your group
If none of these crime-solving group forums offer what you need, you can create your own. You may have realized that insider threats are more visible than ever and you want to investigate them, or you have another special interest. Starting your own group can help you recruit other people to help you in these more specific endeavors.
You can create a subreddit or create a website in minutes for free. From there, you can use social media to reach out to other users and get started.
You may need some investigator training if you have never done anything like this before. FBI public affairs programs and similar law enforcement resources can help you gain the experience you need.
How can you join them?
Once you’ve found the perfect online crime-solving group, it’s often easy to join. Many of these sites are informal groups and forums, so all you have to do is subscribe and comment on topics.
Be sure to carefully read the rules of these forums before posting on them. Given the sensitive nature of their topics, they may have strict rules of conduct that could result in a ban.
More formal, organized groups like DoeNetwork often have a more complex process. You will need to go through the application process, which may include the submission of notarized identification documents. These groups will not accept all applicants, often preferring people with investigative experience.
Even if you’re not a member, you can often send evidence and advice to these groups. Creating a history of these comments can help your application, as you can point out how you have helped them in the past.
Things to keep in mind while searching
When exploring online crime-solving groups, remember that these are real, sensitive cases. Consequently, they are surrounded by legal boundaries, so be careful not to break the law or behave inappropriately. Avoid contact with victims as you are likely to be dealing with sensitive matters.
You should also avoid taking matters into your own hands if you think you’ve found a suspect. Of course, as American University law professor Ira Robbins says, “we are going through a period of lynching.” However, your legal grounds in these circumstances may be questionable, and it is best to leave everything up to the justice system.