Introduction & How Case Assignments Work
## WELCOME TO CASE ASSIGNMENTS
This is where investigation work begins. Whether you're a new member looking for your first case or an experienced investigator ready for a complex challenge, this section helps you find cases that match your skills and interests.
---
## HOW CASE ASSIGNMENTS WORK
### What is a Case Assignment?
A **case assignment** is when you (individually or as part of a team) commit to investigating a specific unsolved case. You become the primary researcher for that case within our community, coordinating efforts and sharing findings.
### Why We Use Assignments
**Prevents Duplication:**
- Multiple people don't waste time researching the same information
- Ensures efficient use of community resources
- Creates clear ownership and accountability
**Encourages Collaboration:**
- Teams form around specific cases
- Members with different skills contribute their expertise
- Shared responsibility leads to better outcomes
**Maintains Quality:**
- Assigned investigators commit to thorough, ethical research
- Community can track progress and offer support
- Cases get sustained attention rather than sporadic interest
---
## TYPES OF CASE ASSIGNMENTS
### Individual Assignments
**Best For:**
- Research-focused investigations
- Cases with limited scope
- New members building skills
- Experienced investigators working independently
**Examples:**
- Researching background on a specific person
- Analyzing a single piece of evidence
- Creating a comprehensive timeline
- Verifying witness statements
**Time Commitment:** 5-20 hours typically
---
### Team Assignments
**Best For:**
- Complex, multi-faceted cases
- Investigations requiring diverse skills
- Long-term projects
- Cases with large amounts of evidence
**Team Roles:**
- **Team Lead** - Coordinates activities and maintains timeline
- **Researchers** - Gather information from various sources
- **Analysts** - Examine evidence and identify patterns
- **Documentarian** - Maintains case files and writes reports
- **Liaison** - Communicates with family/law enforcement if appropriate
**Time Commitment:** 20-100+ hours over weeks or months
---
## CASE DIFFICULTY LEVELS
###
BEGINNER CASES
**Characteristics:**
- Well-documented with available public records
- Clear timeline and established facts
- Limited number of people involved
- Straightforward research requirements
- No sensitive family contact needed
**Skills Developed:**
- Basic research techniques
- Source verification
- Timeline construction
- Report writing
**Examples:**
- Historical mysteries (pre-1950s)
- Cases with extensive media coverage
- Well-documented disappearances with clear facts
- Public domain cold cases
**Time Estimate:** 10-30 hours
**Team Size:** 1-2 people
---
###
INTERMEDIATE CASES
**Characteristics:**
- Moderate complexity with some gaps in information
- Multiple people or locations involved
- Requires advanced research skills
- May involve conflicting witness accounts
- Some evidence analysis needed
**Skills Required:**
- Advanced online research
- Evidence correlation
- Pattern recognition
- Theory development and testing
- Basic timeline analysis
**Examples:**
- Missing persons cases (5+ years old)
- Cold cases with some investigation history
- Cases requiring genealogical research
- Multi-location investigations
**Time Estimate:** 30-80 hours
**Team Size:** 2-4 people
---
###
ADVANCED CASES
**Characteristics:**
- Highly complex with significant information gaps
- Multiple theories and conflicting evidence
- Requires specialized knowledge or skills
- May involve sensitive family situations
- Extensive coordination needed
**Skills Required:**
- Expert-level research and analysis
- Advanced evidence evaluation
- Digital forensics understanding
- Team leadership and coordination
- Ethical sensitivity in communications
**Examples:**
- Complex missing persons cases
- Cases requiring technical expertise
- Multi-state or international cases
- Cases with active family involvement
- Investigations requiring law enforcement coordination
**Time Estimate:** 80-200+ hours
**Team Size:** 4-8 people
---
## CASE SELECTION CRITERIA
### What Makes a Good Case for Citizen Investigation?
**
SUITABLE CASES:**
**Public Information Available:**
- Police reports, court records, or official documents accessible
- Media coverage providing background information
- Genealogical or historical records available
- Public databases contain relevant information
**Ethical to Investigate:**
- No active law enforcement prohibition
- Won't interfere with ongoing official investigation
- Family consent obtained (if case involves contact)
- Respects privacy of living individuals
**Skill Match:**
- Case complexity matches team capabilities
- Required resources are accessible
- Time commitment is realistic
- Proper expertise available within community
**Potential for Progress:**
- New approaches or technologies could help
- Information gaps can potentially be filled
- Fresh perspective might reveal new leads
- Community collaboration could add value
---
###
UNSUITABLE CASES:
**Cases We Don't Investigate:**
**Active Investigations:**
- Currently being worked by law enforcement
- Family has asked for privacy
- Could interfere with official work
**Too Recent:**
- Less than 2 years old (general guideline)
- Still in active media cycle
- Family in acute grief period
- Evidence still being processed
**Insufficient Information:**
- No public records or documentation available
- Cannot verify basic facts
- Only rumors or unverified claims exist
- No reliable starting point for research
**Requires Illegal Activity:**
- Would need to access private information
- Requires trespassing or illegal methods
- Involves harassment of individuals
- Violates privacy laws
**Ethically Problematic:**
- Exploits victims or families
- Sensationalizes tragedy
- Involves minors in inappropriate ways
- Could cause harm to innocent people
---
## HOW TO CLAIM A CASE
### Step 1: Browse Available Cases
Review the **Available Cases Directory** (posted in this section) to find cases that interest you.
**Look For:**
- Cases matching your skill level
- Topics that interest you personally
- Geographic areas you're familiar with
- Time commitment that fits your schedule
---
### Step 2: Review Case Details
Before claiming, thoroughly review:
- Case summary and background
- Available evidence and sources
- Known challenges or obstacles
- Estimated time and skill requirements
- Whether team or individual assignment
---
### Step 3: Post Your Intent
Create a new thread titled: **"CLAIMING: [Case Name]"**
Include:
- Your username and member level
- Why you're interested in this case
- Relevant skills or experience
- Individual or team investigation
- Estimated timeline for initial research
- Request for team members (if applicable)
**Example:**
CLAIMING: The 1987 Riverside Disappearance
Hello, I'm JohnDoe (Active Detective level). I'm interested in claiming this case because I grew up in Riverside and am familiar with the area. I have experience with genealogical research and timeline construction.
I plan to investigate this as a TEAM assignment and am looking for 2-3 members with skills in:
Initial timeline: 2 months for comprehensive research phase
Please reply if interested in joining the team!
---
### Step 4: Wait for Approval
**Moderators will review within 48 hours and check:**
- Case is still available (not already assigned)
- Your skill level matches case difficulty
- Your plan seems reasonable and ethical
- No conflicts of interest exist
**You'll receive:**
- Approval to proceed
-
Case assignment confirmation
-
Access to case files and resources
-
Case added to Active Investigations board
---
### Step 5: Begin Investigation
Once approved:
- Set up your case workspace
- Review all available materials
- Create investigation plan
- Begin research and documentation
- Post regular progress updates
## WELCOME TO CASE ASSIGNMENTS
This is where investigation work begins. Whether you're a new member looking for your first case or an experienced investigator ready for a complex challenge, this section helps you find cases that match your skills and interests.
---
## HOW CASE ASSIGNMENTS WORK
### What is a Case Assignment?
A **case assignment** is when you (individually or as part of a team) commit to investigating a specific unsolved case. You become the primary researcher for that case within our community, coordinating efforts and sharing findings.
### Why We Use Assignments
**Prevents Duplication:**
- Multiple people don't waste time researching the same information
- Ensures efficient use of community resources
- Creates clear ownership and accountability
**Encourages Collaboration:**
- Teams form around specific cases
- Members with different skills contribute their expertise
- Shared responsibility leads to better outcomes
**Maintains Quality:**
- Assigned investigators commit to thorough, ethical research
- Community can track progress and offer support
- Cases get sustained attention rather than sporadic interest
---
## TYPES OF CASE ASSIGNMENTS
### Individual Assignments
**Best For:**
- Research-focused investigations
- Cases with limited scope
- New members building skills
- Experienced investigators working independently
**Examples:**
- Researching background on a specific person
- Analyzing a single piece of evidence
- Creating a comprehensive timeline
- Verifying witness statements
**Time Commitment:** 5-20 hours typically
---
### Team Assignments
**Best For:**
- Complex, multi-faceted cases
- Investigations requiring diverse skills
- Long-term projects
- Cases with large amounts of evidence
**Team Roles:**
- **Team Lead** - Coordinates activities and maintains timeline
- **Researchers** - Gather information from various sources
- **Analysts** - Examine evidence and identify patterns
- **Documentarian** - Maintains case files and writes reports
- **Liaison** - Communicates with family/law enforcement if appropriate
**Time Commitment:** 20-100+ hours over weeks or months
---
## CASE DIFFICULTY LEVELS
###
BEGINNER CASES**Characteristics:**
- Well-documented with available public records
- Clear timeline and established facts
- Limited number of people involved
- Straightforward research requirements
- No sensitive family contact needed
**Skills Developed:**
- Basic research techniques
- Source verification
- Timeline construction
- Report writing
**Examples:**
- Historical mysteries (pre-1950s)
- Cases with extensive media coverage
- Well-documented disappearances with clear facts
- Public domain cold cases
**Time Estimate:** 10-30 hours
**Team Size:** 1-2 people
---
###
INTERMEDIATE CASES**Characteristics:**
- Moderate complexity with some gaps in information
- Multiple people or locations involved
- Requires advanced research skills
- May involve conflicting witness accounts
- Some evidence analysis needed
**Skills Required:**
- Advanced online research
- Evidence correlation
- Pattern recognition
- Theory development and testing
- Basic timeline analysis
**Examples:**
- Missing persons cases (5+ years old)
- Cold cases with some investigation history
- Cases requiring genealogical research
- Multi-location investigations
**Time Estimate:** 30-80 hours
**Team Size:** 2-4 people
---
###
ADVANCED CASES**Characteristics:**
- Highly complex with significant information gaps
- Multiple theories and conflicting evidence
- Requires specialized knowledge or skills
- May involve sensitive family situations
- Extensive coordination needed
**Skills Required:**
- Expert-level research and analysis
- Advanced evidence evaluation
- Digital forensics understanding
- Team leadership and coordination
- Ethical sensitivity in communications
**Examples:**
- Complex missing persons cases
- Cases requiring technical expertise
- Multi-state or international cases
- Cases with active family involvement
- Investigations requiring law enforcement coordination
**Time Estimate:** 80-200+ hours
**Team Size:** 4-8 people
---
## CASE SELECTION CRITERIA
### What Makes a Good Case for Citizen Investigation?
**
SUITABLE CASES:****Public Information Available:**
- Police reports, court records, or official documents accessible
- Media coverage providing background information
- Genealogical or historical records available
- Public databases contain relevant information
**Ethical to Investigate:**
- No active law enforcement prohibition
- Won't interfere with ongoing official investigation
- Family consent obtained (if case involves contact)
- Respects privacy of living individuals
**Skill Match:**
- Case complexity matches team capabilities
- Required resources are accessible
- Time commitment is realistic
- Proper expertise available within community
**Potential for Progress:**
- New approaches or technologies could help
- Information gaps can potentially be filled
- Fresh perspective might reveal new leads
- Community collaboration could add value
---
###
UNSUITABLE CASES:**Cases We Don't Investigate:**
**Active Investigations:**
- Currently being worked by law enforcement
- Family has asked for privacy
- Could interfere with official work
**Too Recent:**
- Less than 2 years old (general guideline)
- Still in active media cycle
- Family in acute grief period
- Evidence still being processed
**Insufficient Information:**
- No public records or documentation available
- Cannot verify basic facts
- Only rumors or unverified claims exist
- No reliable starting point for research
**Requires Illegal Activity:**
- Would need to access private information
- Requires trespassing or illegal methods
- Involves harassment of individuals
- Violates privacy laws
**Ethically Problematic:**
- Exploits victims or families
- Sensationalizes tragedy
- Involves minors in inappropriate ways
- Could cause harm to innocent people
---
## HOW TO CLAIM A CASE
### Step 1: Browse Available Cases
Review the **Available Cases Directory** (posted in this section) to find cases that interest you.
**Look For:**
- Cases matching your skill level
- Topics that interest you personally
- Geographic areas you're familiar with
- Time commitment that fits your schedule
---
### Step 2: Review Case Details
Before claiming, thoroughly review:
- Case summary and background
- Available evidence and sources
- Known challenges or obstacles
- Estimated time and skill requirements
- Whether team or individual assignment
---
### Step 3: Post Your Intent
Create a new thread titled: **"CLAIMING: [Case Name]"**
Include:
- Your username and member level
- Why you're interested in this case
- Relevant skills or experience
- Individual or team investigation
- Estimated timeline for initial research
- Request for team members (if applicable)
**Example:**
CLAIMING: The 1987 Riverside Disappearance
Hello, I'm JohnDoe (Active Detective level). I'm interested in claiming this case because I grew up in Riverside and am familiar with the area. I have experience with genealogical research and timeline construction.
I plan to investigate this as a TEAM assignment and am looking for 2-3 members with skills in:
- Digital research (phone/email records if available)
- Evidence analysis
- Report writing
Initial timeline: 2 months for comprehensive research phase
Please reply if interested in joining the team!
---
### Step 4: Wait for Approval
**Moderators will review within 48 hours and check:**
- Case is still available (not already assigned)
- Your skill level matches case difficulty
- Your plan seems reasonable and ethical
- No conflicts of interest exist
**You'll receive:**
-
Approval to proceed-
Case assignment confirmation-
Access to case files and resources-
Case added to Active Investigations board---
### Step 5: Begin Investigation
Once approved:
- Set up your case workspace
- Review all available materials
- Create investigation plan
- Begin research and documentation
- Post regular progress updates
