About & Community Guidelines
Last Updated: January 2025
Our Mission
This platform exists to responsibly preserve and analyze public information about unsolved criminal cases. We honor victims and their families while fostering fact-based community investigation and discussion.
Core Principles
Respect for Victims & Families
All content must honor the dignity of victims and show compassion for their families. These are real people, not entertainment.
Fact-Based Investigation
Only post verifiable information supported by public sources. Speculation must be clearly marked as opinion, not fact.
No Interference with Investigations
Do not contact victims' families, witnesses, or suspects. Do not conduct physical investigations. Leave active police work to law enforcement.
Privacy Protection
Do not post personal information (PII) of living individuals including addresses, phone numbers, social media profiles, or other identifying details.
Constructive Collaboration
Maintain respectful, productive discussions. We are here to analyze, not to attack each other or engage in baseless accusations.
Prohibited Content
The following content is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal and possible account suspension:
Absolutely Forbidden:
Evidence & Source Standards
All Factual Claims Must Cite Sources
When posting facts about a case, you must cite your source. Acceptable sources include:
Tier 1 - Highest Credibility
- ▸Official police statements and press releases
- ▸Court documents and legal records
- ▸Government reports (coroner reports, public inquiries)
Tier 2 - High Credibility
- ▸Verified news from reputable publications (BBC, Guardian, Times, etc.)
- ▸Investigative journalism from established outlets
- ▸Academic research and forensic analysis
Tier 3 - Moderate Credibility
- ▸Public records (property records, business filings)
- ▸Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) releases
- ▸Documented witness statements from news sources
Tier 4 - Low Credibility (Requires Corroboration)
- ▸Social media posts
- ▸Blogs and personal websites
- ▸Forums and discussion boards
- ▸Unverified claims
Archive Your Links: Use Archive.org to create permanent backups of online sources in case links break.
Best Practices for Contributing
DO
- ✓Cite public sources for all factual claims
- ✓Clearly label speculation as opinion
- ✓Show compassion for victims and families
- ✓Ask clarifying questions respectfully
- ✓Focus on analysis, timelines, and publicly available evidence
- ✓Report content that violates guidelines
- ✓Assume good faith in fellow community members
DON'T
- ✗Name uncharged individuals as suspects
- ✗Share personal contact information
- ✗Post graphic or disturbing images
- ✗Engage in arguments or personal attacks
- ✗Make assumptions without evidence
- ✗Contact people connected to cases
- ✗Interfere with active investigations
- ✗Post copyrighted materials
Special Note: Information for Law Enforcement
If you have credible information about a crime, DO NOT post it here. Contact your local law enforcement directly:
- •Call your local emergency number or non-emergency police line
- •Visit your local police department's website
- •Contact anonymous tip lines available in your jurisdiction
This platform is not monitored by law enforcement and should not be used to report tips.
Contact Us
Questions
guidelines@coldcase.local
Moderation Issues
moderation@coldcase.local
General Inquiries
admin@coldcase.local
Legal Disclaimer
This platform is for educational and informational purposes only. Users are not law enforcement officials. Information shared may be incomplete or inaccurate. If you have information about a crime, contact local authorities directly.
By using this platform, you agree to these Community Guidelines, our Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.
Remember: We are here to honor victims, support their families, and responsibly preserve public information. Please contribute thoughtfully and compassionately.