Welcome to Independent Detective

Getting Started

Independent Detective is a public archive dedicated to keeping missing-person and unsolved-homicide cases visible, preserving the names and stories of the people involved, and helping visitors explore information responsibly.

Whether you are here to learn about a particular person, browse case files, compare research statistics, or organize your own research, this guide will show you where to begin.

Visit the Homepage Contact Us

Step 1 · Watch the walkthrough

Take a Video Tour

Start with our walkthrough to see how the website is organized, how to search the archive, and how to use the tools available on individual case pages.

If the embedded player does not load, watch the tutorial directly on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

Step 2 · Learn the layout

How to Navigate a Case Page

Every case page brings together the person’s name, case classification, location, photographs, key dates, and organized research sections. The annotated example below points out the most useful controls.

Annotated Independent Detective case page showing the home link, search and Getting Started buttons, research statistics bar, case title and classification, photo gallery, next-case navigation, private workspace button, location, and information tabs. — Annotated case-page guide. Select the image to view it at full size.

Find your way around

Use the Independent Detective header to return home. The main navigation leads to Case Searches, Getting Started, and the Discussion Group.

Explore the Research Center

The clickable statistics bar summarizes current archive counts and opens tools for comparing case patterns, locations, dates, and classifications.

View photos and case details

Hover over the main case photograph to discover additional images when available, and select a photo to enlarge it. Review the name, case type, location, and date information.

Use tabs and case navigation

Select Overview, Map, Timeline, Investigation, Sources, PD Contacts, or Public Tips to explore each section. Previous and Next buttons move between numbered cases; the first case has no Previous button.

Case labels use colors to help distinguish classifications, including black for Homicide, blue for Missing, orange for Missing Suspected Homicide, red for Suspected Homicide, purple for Found Safe, and green for Resolved.

Step 3 · Organize your research

Your Private Research Workspace

The Research Workspace button on the right side of a case page opens tools for recording and organizing your work. You can write investigation notes, track research sessions, follow cases, and return to your saved information through My Investigations.

Annotated research workspace and My Investigations dashboard showing private investigation notes, Save Note, Follow Case, research sessions, optional AI assistant, daily challenge, followed cases, recent notes, and reported corrections. — Research Workspace and My Investigations dashboard, with labeled tools and activity panels.

Investigation notes and sessions

Give your note a title, write your observations, and use Save Investigation Note before leaving or switching cases. Research Sessions help organize ongoing work.

Follow cases

Use Follow Case to keep track of cases you are researching. The Cases You Follow list in My Investigations provides quick links back to them.

Activity and challenges

Review the Daily Challenge, archive points, streaks, workspace snapshot, previous investigation notes, and recent research sessions from the dashboard.

Corrections you’ve reported

The Corrections You’ve Reported section lets you revisit submissions and see the status displayed for them, including when a report is marked Resolved or Updated.

AI is completely optional. You do not need to use or pay for the AI Assistant to keep private notes, organize research sessions, or follow cases. If you choose to use hosted AI features, review the displayed balance and any cost estimate before running an analysis.

A note about privacy: Your workspace is not visible to other community members. Independent Detective administrators may review workspace activity for moderation, safety, legal compliance, or when information may need to be shared with law enforcement. Always save your work before leaving a case.

Step 4 · Help keep case information accurate

Report a Correction or Add Information to a Case

If you notice a factual error or have additional information about a particular case, please use the reporting option on that case’s own page. This helps connect your report to the correct person and case file.

Screenshot showing the case-specific reporting button, See something wrong? Let us know!, used to report errors or provide additional case information. — Look for the “See something wrong? Let us know!” reporting button on an individual case page.

Open the relevant case, locate the “See something wrong? Let us know!” button, and submit the correction or additional information there rather than through the general Contact Us form.

Important: Please avoid posting sensitive personal information or confidential investigative details. For emergencies or urgent investigative tips, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency directly.

Still Have Questions?

If you have a question about using the website, experience a technical issue, want to suggest a case for the archive, or have general feedback, visit our Contact Us page and complete the private contact form.

For corrections or additional information about an existing case, please use that case’s dedicated reporting button as explained above.

Go to Contact Us → Return to the Homepage

Thank you for taking the time to explore these cases and for helping keep their names and stories visible.