Thanks for the ridicule

The Kansas City Star has posted an article about the cold case of Teresa Sue Hilt. The article is written by Lisa Gutierrez who describes the case and the work Michall Holmes has put into it. She even placed the link to the FB tribute page he made in the article. So far so good.

Sadly, she then continues to ridicule my blog DCC and a scientist. After describing how Dir. Wood found the Hilt case online on FB and DCC she writes and I quote “Her case [Tess] was written up on the cold case blog. Founded in 2009, it is a mix of information for those who are intrigued by unsolved crimes, forensics and police talk. It wants to serve somewhat like the TV show “America’s Most Wanted,” which has led to the capture of many criminals through airing old photos of the suspects and fresh retellings of cases long gone from the headlines.

Since March, amateur sleuths on Defrosting Cold Cases seem to have stirred up little that is helpful. One woman last month latched onto the information about the diseased hair found at the scene.

“With my scientist/investigative hat on, my first question is, ‘How do they know?’ Ever the skeptic, I’m surprised to learn of these hair tufts,” she commented. “Assuming that the killer did have this disease, then what does this mean for the investigation? Firstly, and I think, most importantly, the killer would likely have a distinctive appearance. Surely someone would have noticed someone with an ‘unusual quality of hair.’ ”

Sloppy journalism and ridiculous. Let’s analyze this, shall we?

“It wants to serve somewhat like the TV show “America’s Most Wanted,” which has led to the capture of many criminals through airing old photos of the suspects and fresh retellings of cases long gone from the headlines.”

Where on earth did you get the ridiculous notion that my blog DCC wants to serve somewhat like the TV show AMW? Have I ever indicated to have those intentions? I don’t think so. If you check all the interviews I ever gave you will not be able to find one interview or guest post in which I state that desire. You could not be further from the truth.

Since March, amateur sleuths on Defrosting Cold Cases seem to have stirred up little that is helpful.

When Michall asked for help with the Hilt case it was me who suggested a memorial page on either Twitter or Facebook. That was helpful. I can prove that because I still have that email thread. By linking from my blog to Michall’s FB page it drove traffic to that site. That too was helpful. I spoke extensively with Dir. Wood to form a plan of action, how we could get the Hilt case renewed attention, and how he could use social media in this case. That was helpful as well.

Now I don’t mind too much that you ridicule me or my blog but the following is beyond words.

One woman last month latched onto the information about the diseased hair found at the scene. 

If you had bothered to look up who that was you would have seen it was Sue Carney, a renowned scientist, who has been helping behind the scenes to indicate what kinds of forensic testing would still be possible if we ever find the lost evidence. That is more than helpful, that is crucial information for a re-investigation. And, if you had read Sue’s comment properly you would have seen that Sue spoke not about the deceased’s hair e.g. Teresa’s but about the hairs found near Teresa e.g. her attacker’s.

I am glad that Tess’ case is getting more attention but really, get your facts right. But you knew that you didn’t get it right or else you would have added my blog’s url and the links to the posts where people can read Sue’s comments and my thoughts about the case themselves.

Rant over.

UPDATE: the link to DCC’s homepage has been added to the article.

UPDATE: the newspaper article has disappeared. I wish I had taken a screen shot!