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More often than not these days we hear about the Internet as the “offence” part of the crime equation. However, we are starting to see what might be a new trend emerging, using the Internet to help solve a crime.

It’s not the first time, the The Toronto Police have taken this approach and it likely won’t be the last, but last week they shot and posted a video specifically to place on YouTube asking the for public help in solving a murder investigation.

A simple search for “suspect wanted” shows many other video pleas from other police departments including York police (though I am not sure if York police posted that of their own accord, or if a user has just posted it).

Making a plea for anyone with evidence to step forward is not new and we see this done on television all the time, however, the question you ask yourself – especially when dealing with a teen homicide – is whether or not the people who might know anything about this murder would be watching the news. So it appears that the police and Crimestoppers have teamed up to start placing these pleas on YouTube in hopes of reaching a different audience segment (or at least to try and spread the word more). Judging by the fact that almost 600 people have viewed the spot in the 5 days since it has been posted, you tell me. I would just like to applaud them for trying to use all means possible to solve a crime.

There appears to be one comment from someone who has named a suspect – but other posters are quick to comment asking if this person is truly being honest. Given all of the talk on “flogs” and general cynicism around user generated content can anything be trusted?

Of course it can. But it all has to be taken with a grain of salt – just as if you were reading something in the newspaper. Think about this question which has been around long before the Internet: “Do you always believe everything you read?”

I don’t think the police feel this will solve all their crimes and they won’t need to do anything else. Really, nothing will or should ever get rid of good ol’ fashioned policework, this is simply just another tool to help them collect “evidence.” They still have to sift through it all and determine what is relevant and what is not – just as they would with any other “tip” received. What difference does it make where it came from?

It doesn’t matter whether it appears on the Internet, in print, or some other form of media, the point here is that everyone should spend the time reading the facts and making their own decisions and judgements; including whether or not you like or agree with the comments and opinions expressed in my blog.

In summary: Way to go TPS for embracing the Internet as something other than a tool to potentially commit crimes.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 12th, 2007 at 12:04 pm and is filed under Integrated marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.