Methodology

How We Research

Our standards

Every case file in this archive is built from publicly available material.

1. Public record only

We draw from published news reporting, official law-enforcement statements, court filings, and documented investigative journalism — never rumor or unverified claims.

2. No accusations without official basis

We do not name a person as a suspect or perpetrator unless that determination was made through an official process. Where a name has circulated publicly but has no official basis, we omit it.

3. Distinguishing fact from source, from the unconfirmed

Case boards separate documented fact, source information (attributed to Project Cold Case, Murder Accountability Project, or NamUs), and clearly marked unconfirmed information or unknown fields. Fields without a verified source read “NOT AVAILABLE IN CURRENT RECORD” rather than being filled with a guess.

4. Respectful language

We write about victims as people, not case numbers, and avoid graphic or speculative framing.

5. Corrections

Use the Submit a Case or Tip page to flag an error or contribute a documented source.

Scope: This archive is a reference tool, not an investigative body. If you have information relevant to an active case, contact the relevant law-enforcement agency directly in addition to reaching out to us.