What do you think of "internet detectives"

[NoFlo Boy]

I just watched the movie "Zodiac" last night and afterwards browsed on the internet about the real guy and found an entire website dedicated to non law enforcement citizens who investigate and research the zodiac on their own time and try to come up with new leads to the case. I've also found articles where people do this for other cold cases/ missing persons. What do you think of people in a sense "playing detective" as long as they are not interfering with law enforcement? I've seen some law enforcement personnel quotes saying it is very ineffective and essentially a waste of time while others say that these so called "internet detectives" have actually helped crack cases before, although few and far between.

[GoldBadge]

Whatever floats your boat. As long as it's legal and you don't interfere with an investigation.

[jdthor]

Thats why Montys here,Hes ours

[AppState]

Have fun getting subpoena'd six million times after you get listed in the documents as having once reported a possible lead.

[CCCSD]

We used to have to deal with this when a local College started studying a case of ours. Then we had to waste time following leads to nowhere and try and explain why their "solve" wasn't.

[PhilipCal]

Thats why Montys here,Hes ours

THAT ^^Is a friggin classic, and oh soooo true. Our own resident Conservator of the Peace, denizen of the Bat Cave,, rider of his own "Pursuit Tricycle", Holder of the "Secret Squadron "Password, and resident expert on any topic under the sun.

[swat_op506]

Thats why Montys here,Hes ours

I have never actually said this, but it now seems appropriate: "Oh, Snap!"

[BTDT2]

Thats why Montys here,Hes ours

THAT ^^Is a friggin classic, and oh soooo true. Our own resident Conservator of the Peace, denizen of the Bat Cave,, rider of his own "Pursuit Tricycle", Holder of the "Secret Squadron "Password, and resident expert on any topic under the sun.

Hey ya gotta give credit where credit is due…

I understand from an unofficial source he’s on the verge of
solving the SMILEY FACE KILLERS.

[BTDT2]

Thats why Montys here,Hes ours

THAT ^^Is a friggin classic, and oh soooo true. Our own resident Conservator of the Peace, denizen of the Bat Cave,, rider of his own "Pursuit Tricycle", Holder of the "Secret Squadron "Password, and resident expert on any topic under the sun.

Hey ya gotta give credit where credit is due…

I understand from an unofficial source he’s on the verge of
solving the SMILEY FACE KILLERS.

I can see which direction this thread headed.

[BTDT2]

I just watched the movie "Zodiac" last night and afterwards browsed on the internet about the real guy and found an entire website dedicated to non law enforcement citizens who investigate and research the zodiac on their own time and try to come up with new leads to the case. I've also found articles where people do this for other cold cases/ missing persons. What do you think of people in a sense "playing detective" as long as they are not interfering with law enforcement? I've seen some law enforcement personnel quotes saying it is very ineffective and essentially a waste of time while others say that these so called "internet detectives" have actually helped crack cases before, although few and far between.

IMO internet detectives for the most part are as helpful as overzealous or ineffectual PI’s or corporate investigators who lack qualified law enforcement experience. Leave policing to police.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Ibtl !!!!!!!