Are you a police officer? A private investigator? An investigative journalist?
No. I am a writer with a background in law and human rights.
Can you reopen a cold case?
No, only the authorities can re-examine an unsolved case.
Is Defrosting Cold Cases an organization?
No.
I love your work. Can I quote it, copy it, use it?
Fair use is encouraged but if you use my work mention it as your source and credit it as Defrosting Cold Cases, add the link, and use as author: Alice de Sturler. I do the same for you.
As you can see at the bottom of all pages, all rights are reserved. Remember that if you use my photographs (especially the collages or grids) to include the credits as well. We regularly check the web using Copyscape and we will call you out on ‘unfair’ use.
Note that if you read out loud my entire case analysis or database summaries online, you are still violating copyright laws. If you ever see a podcast or vlog claiming to be from me, or anything else with a camera or a microphone, using my website’s name ‘Defrosting Cold Cases’ or my name, you know that you are dealing with fraud. Conferences that I attend are of course, an exception. Should I ever start anything with a cam or mike, I will let you know. That chance however, is zero.
Do I need to pay to use the database?
Never.
Do you review books?
Yes, I review select works of true crime, forensics, crime fiction, historical fiction and mysteries. The stories have to fit my website’s theme and research. Book reviews are posted on DCC first. After that, I share my book reviews online.
I cannot meet deadlines. If you want me to review your book, contact me. I reserve the right to not review a book after reading. I prefer a book in paper form so my eyes get less screen time.
How do I comment on posts?
I encourage my readers to share their thoughts on their own social media platforms or websites. By discussing a cold case on your own social media accounts with your network, you enhance the victim’s digital footprint. If we all keep that up maybe one day a victim’s story pops up in news feeds from people who can help advance the case. And that is the goal.
If I send you a message on the Contact Page, does it get posted on your website?
No, messages sent via the contact page land in my email inbox and are for my eyes only.
Can anyone guest blog on your website?
No. My guest writers are people I know and they have communicated extensively with me. Note that I do not publish repeated content, be unique.
Can I buy ad space on your website?
No.
Do you respect my privacy?
YES, no email address is ever shared unless you ask me to do so. There are no ads here, I don’t sell anything, and you cannot purchase anything from someone else here either.
Why is there a picture of a military fort on your website?
This picture in the left margin was used as header in previous website themes so for continuation, I use it in the mission statement (upper left hand corner of this website’s theme).
Dinaburg Fort is located in Latvia, Europe. It is the biggest fort in the Baltic States. I like it because it represents how I feel about unsolved cases.
Arches are a familiar feature in old prisons. Here, the arch opens into another area where there are two windows. These windows are like eyes. They let you look into different directions. They symbolize to me there is hope that one day we may find that piece of information that advances the case.