The Sunday Read: ‘Podcasters Took Up Her Sister’s Murder Investigation. Then They Turned on Her’ Podcast Summary with Sarah Viren, Samantha Desz

The Sunday Read: ‘Podcasters Took Up Her Sister’s Murder Investigation. Then They Turned on Her’

1-Page Summary

Crowdsourcing Techniques Used to Try to Solve Cold Cases

Liz Flatt, in a bid to solve her sister Debbie Williamson's murder case from 1975, collaborates with independent investigators George Jared and Jennifer Buchholz. They employ crowdsourcing through a Facebook group to engage the public for tips and create a community intent on solving the case. Content such as early reports, evidence lists, and crime scene details are shared within the group to facilitate discussion and participation. However, the relationship between Flatt and the investigators becomes strained as disagreements emerge over sharing sensitive information from the case file which results in Flatt's removal from the group.

Similarly, Tiffany Ballard Moore faces issues with the same investigators regarding the murder case of her sister Rebecca Gould. Ballard Moore criticizes their investigative methods and the suspicions they cast on Gould’s boyfriend. Despite claims by Jared and Buchholz that their efforts led to the case's resolution, it is Special Agent Mike McNeil who states the arrest was due to his department's work. Conflicts abound as Moore's appearance on a Dateline episode and her personal choices are scrutinized by the investigators, paralleling the strained dynamics seen in Flatt's case.

Exhumation of Debbie Williamson's Body to Find Potential DNA Evidence

The quest to solve Debbie Williamson's murder sees her body exhumed from a Lubbock, Texas cemetery for advanced DNA testing. This is a significant leap, as Flatt has persistently pushed for the application of modern DNA techniques on remaining evidence from the case. The exhumation process involves collecting various samples such as hair, fingernails, and bone fragments, all with the objective of discovering DNA that might identify the perpetrator.

Despite the dedication and hope invested in this process, the chances of securing useful evidence through the exhumation are slim. The intricacy of DNA analysis leaves a time frame that could stretch from a few months to several years before results are concluded, serving as a reminder of the enduring and uncertain path to justice.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

Crowdsourcing in cold cases involves leveraging the collective wisdom and efforts of a large group of individuals, often through online platforms like social media, to gather information, insights, and tips to help solve unresolved criminal cases. By engaging the public, sharing case details, and encouraging participation, crowdsourcing can bring fresh perspectives and potentially uncover new leads that traditional investigative methods might have missed. This collaborative approach aims to generate public interest, raise awareness about cold cases, and increase the chances of finding answers and achieving justice for victims and their families.
Liz Flatt's strained relationship with investigators George Jared and Jennifer Buchholz stemmed from disagreements over sharing sensitive information from the cold case file, leading to Flatt's removal from the collaborative efforts. This disagreement highlighted differing perspectives on how to handle and disclose details related to the investigation, causing tension within the group. The conflict between Flatt and the investigators underscored the challenges that can arise when working together on sensitive and emotionally charged cases. The breakdown in communication and trust between the parties hindered the progress of the collaborative crowdsourcing efforts to solve the cold case.
The exhumation process involves the careful excavation of a deceased person's body from their burial site. In this case, Debbie Williamson's body was exhumed to collect samples like hair, fingernails, and bone fragments for advanced DNA testing. These samples are crucial for identifying potential DNA evidence that could help in solving the cold case. The process is complex and time-consuming, with results from DNA analysis taking anywhere from a few months to several years to be finalized.
DNA analysis can be a complex process that involves extracting and analyzing genetic material from samples like hair, fingernails, or bone fragments. The timeframe for DNA analysis can vary significantly, ranging from a few months to several years, depending on factors such as the quality of the sample, available technology, and the workload of the forensic lab. The complexity arises from the need for precise and thorough analysis to ensure accurate results, which can involve multiple steps and specialized techniques. This detailed process is crucial for identifying potential DNA evidence that could help in solving cold cases but requires patience due to the time and expertise involved.

Counterarguments

Crowdsourcing may lead to the spread of misinformation or the harassment of innocent individuals if not properly moderated.
Sharing sensitive information in a public forum could compromise the integrity of the investigation or violate privacy laws.
The involvement of independent investigators without official law enforcement authority could potentially interfere with official investigations.
The assertion that the arrest in Rebecca Gould's case was solely due to the department's work may overlook contributions from other parties, including the public's help through crowdsourcing.
The scrutiny of Tiffany Ballard Moore's appearance on Dateline and personal choices may be seen as victim-blaming or irrelevant to the investigation.
Exhuming a body for DNA evidence after many years carries the risk of not finding viable samples due to degradation, which could add to the family's distress without advancing the case.
The long timeframe for DNA analysis could potentially delay justice or the closure of the case for the family.
There is a possibility that even with advanced DNA testing, the perpetrator may not be identified if they are not in any existing databases or if there is no DNA evidence linking them to the crime.

Learn more

A New Strategy to Speed Up Cold Case Investigations

A New Strategy to Speed Up Cold Case Investigations. Solving crimes with forensic genetic genealogy is slow and complicated. A new mathematical analysis could crack cases 10 times faster. For nearly 37 years, she was known as Buckskin Girl — a young, anonymous murder victim found outside Dayton, Ohio, wearing a deer-hide poncho.

National Best Practices for Implementing and Sustaining a Cold Case ...

National Best Practices for Implementing and Sustaining a Cold Case Investigation Unit . n. iii . NIJ Cold Case Investigation Working Group . S. ince 2005, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has assisted state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation in investigating cold cases through NIJ’s Solving Cold Cases with DNA program.

Rapid DNA for Investigation of Exhumed Human Remains - The ... - Foleon

Materials and Methods In June 2020, the remains of an adult female (Decedent #1) interred at a cemetery in Guilford, Connecticut were exhumed for the purpose of DNA testing. The total burial period at the time of exhumation was approximately 9 months.

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The Sunday Read: ‘Podcasters Took Up Her Sister’s Murder Investigation. Then They Turned on Her’

Crowdsourcing Techniques Used to Try to Solve Cold Cases

Liz Flatt's efforts to solve her sister Debbie Williamson's unsolved murder from 1975

Liz Flatt, desperate to solve her sister Debbie Williamson's unsolved murder from 1975, enlisted the help of independent investigators George Jared and Jennifer Buchholz after meeting them at a conference. The investigators, utilizing their expertise in journalism and forensics, respectively, turned to crowdsourcing on Facebook to gather tips and build a community around the case.

Flatt becomes desperate and turns to independent investigators George Jared and Jennifer Buchholz

Kaya Henderson reflects on Flatt's increasing desperation as she pursued various efforts to solve her sister's cold case—including podcasts, journalists, a nonprofit, and even a Netflix documentary. At CrimeCon in Austin, Flatt met Jared and Buchholz and later engaged their services to take advantage of their unique crowdsourcing technique.

Jared and Buchholz use crowdsourcing on Facebook to get tips and build community to help solve case

Upon agreeing to share her sister's case file with certain stipulations on handling, a Facebook group was created dedicated to Debbie's case. Buchholz posted information such as early newspaper coverage, evidence lists, canvassed houses, and crime scene diagrams to engage the community. The membership in the group grew, supporting the goal of solving the case.

However, a falling out occurred over the case file sharing, and Liz Flatt was removed by Jennifer Buchholz from the Facebook group. Following this, Jared and Buchholz critcized Flatt in a podcast episode, suggesting her actions were sabotaging the case. Flatt's estrangement from the group suggests a complicated dynamic between those involved in trying to solve the murder.