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Public Media 2.0 Showcase
Newspapers use Web 2.0 tools to keep cold cases alive
email discuss Posted by Katie Donnelly on Dec 8, 2009 at 8:02 PM
One of the most intriguing examples of Web 2.0 technology is its use in citizen online crime solving. With the help of online databases, maps and other interactive tools, local news outlets (and police departments) are able to combine investigative reporting and user participation in order to publicize “cold cases” to a degree that would have been unheard of a decade ago, and harness the energy of citizen sleuths.
News organizations run the gamut in how they present cold cases.
At the most basic level, newspapers and police departments cooperate by publishing recurring stories featuring cold cases. For example, the Colorado Springs Gazette runs a weekly cold case feature in cooperation with the Colorado Springs Police Department. The Arizona Daily Star also runs a regular cold case series.
Some have taken full advantage of Web 2.0 and invited audience members to become direct participants in crime solving. Of course, news outlets are usually dependent on extensive cooperation from local police departments for case-specific information. However, even without police cooperation, private citizens — including victims’ family members, private investigators and victims’ rights advocates —often take it upon themselves to initiate web campaigns. Now, interested citizens can pitch in.
At the other end of the spectrum, one of the most comprehensive examples is the Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s special report, “An Enduring Mystery.” This feature is focused on the murder of the Walkers, a family of four who were mysteriously killed in their home shortly before Christmas in 1959. In addition to interviews and four decades worth of investigative files, the report includes a panoramic, interactive recreation scene of the crime, with virtual evidence for users to analyze. There is also a list of suspects, a photo gallery, and audio interviews with case experts. A series of videos offers even more evidence to consider. For example, this video demonstrates the path through the Walker’s home that family friend Don McLeod took the day he discovered their bloodied bodies.
While it doesn’t include many interactive features, Spokanes’ Spokesman Review also published an interactive special report on cold cases This report features eight unsolved murders, each with its own story, related video and map of where the crime took place. The project also includes extras such as video commentaries from a local forensic scientist and medical examiner. While there is a wealth of information for readers to consider, the project lacks an effective mechanism for readers to effectively respond to the cases presented.
Similarly, the Wilmington Morning Star also publishes a collection of cold cases. These are mostly presented as traditional news stories, although there are usually accompanying videos and, less frequently, evidence files for readers to review. This project could likely be improved with increased opportunities for audience interaction in the form of additional data for the public to manipulate and a way for readers to respond with their own tips.
The Scranton Times-Tribune also has a regular feature on standing cold case files that allows readers to dive into historical data and review evidence. This particular project is not as extensive as the others, yet it nonetheless provides a service of publicizing important information.
Why aren’t more news organizations and police departments enlisting public participation in solving cold cases? As Web 2.0 tools become more engrained in news reports, and public participation in news reporting becomes the norm, collaboration by motivated citizens via social media tools will likely increase.
Of course, there are many reasons why police may not want to release the results of their investigations to the public. And even when they do, there is a question as to whether or not it is trivializing to turn gruesome murders into engaging, interactive games for the public to solve. If these features end up actually solving murders, perhaps the answer is no.
Want to learn more about Public Media 2.0? Read our white paper: Public Media 2.0: Dynamic, Engaged Publics.
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