The day we start
stopping our “counterproductive efforts” is just another day that another case grows one more day colder.
The day every law enforcement agency working these cases goes
without overlooking something or inadvertently making a mistake is one for the history books.
The ones who are willing and eager to help find the thousands of people who are missing or help identify the thousands more whose names are yet to be returned to them after death are more often than not the ones law enforcement agencies are thankful for.
These popular databases are also updated almost daily, meaning even more people who need our help are being added as missing or unidentified bodies. This also means names are going to appear that agencies aren’t aware of yet. Yes, they might become aware around the same time as everyone else or maybe they could use the volunteered effort made by someone bringing a fresh lead to their attention.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve suggested some ridiculous theories on this site. Theories that, to professionals or seasoned sleuths, are obviously, and very likely, annoying and laughable. But, thanks to some kind members who took the time to provide encouragement and/or constructive criticism, I’ve grown as a “sleuth”.
There’s nothing more discouraging (in my opinion, when it comes to this community) than to have someone suggest or insinuate that I’m wasting my time. Some of us have nothing but time. Which frankly could be spent doing much worse things.
If the Collier County Sheriff’s Office wasn’t open to outside assistance, I have a feeling they’d not be hesitant in letting the public know as much. Sure, repetitive negative match suggestions probably get annoying, but
someone is going to find the match. I don’t want to see
that someone (because we never know who it could be) give up before then.
So, in my honest and humble opinion,
don’t start stopping!
(good job on the code/journals by the way!!!)