Home › Guides · Updated 20 October 2026
How to research an unsolved case responsibly
A practical guide to researching cold cases: primary sources, separating fact from rumour, respecting families and avoiding naming innocent people.
Unsolved cases attract huge interest, and online research has occasionally helped. It has also harmed innocent people. If you want to look into a case, these habits keep your work accurate and fair.
1. Start with primary sources
Court records, inquest findings, official police appeals and contemporary newspaper reports are more reliable than forums or videos. In the UK, the British Newspaper Archive and local libraries are good places to start.
2. Separate fact, report and theory
Keep three columns in your notes: what is confirmed by an official source, what was reported by a reputable outlet, and what is speculation. Many myths begin when a theory quietly moves into the first column.
3. Check dates and names twice
Small errors spread fast. Confirm spellings and dates against at least two independent sources.
4. Never accuse a living person
Naming someone as a suspect without charges can be defamatory and can ruin lives. In the UK, publishing material about an active case can also risk contempt of court. If you think you have new information, give it to the police force handling the case, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
5. Remember the families
Victims' relatives may read what you write. Avoid graphic detail for its own sake and do not contact families uninvited.
6. Show your sources
Link or cite where each fact came from. It lets readers check your work and makes your research more useful.
7. Know the legal limits on what you publish
- Defamation: in England and Wales, a statement is defamatory if it has caused, or is likely to cause, serious harm to someone's reputation. Repeating someone else's accusation doesn't protect you.
- Anonymity rules: victims of sexual offences have lifelong anonymity under UK law, and there are strict restrictions on identifying children involved in criminal proceedings.
- Active cases: once someone is arrested or charged, commenting on their guilt or publishing prejudicial material can be contempt of court, which can derail a trial.
- Personal data: publishing addresses, photos or details of living people can raise data protection and harassment issues.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own laws, which differ in places. If you're publishing regularly, it's worth learning the basics of media law.
8. Useful free and low-cost sources
- The National Archives in Kew holds historical court, prison and some police records. Its online research guides explain what survives.
- FreeBMD and the General Register Office indexes help confirm births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales.
- Local archives and libraries often hold local newspapers and coroners' records.
- Police appeals: forces publish appeals and cold case reviews on their websites.
9. Don't investigate in person
Visiting scenes, contacting witnesses or approaching people you suspect can compromise an investigation, distress families and put you at risk. Some well-known online investigations have wrongly identified innocent people, with serious consequences for them.
10. Correct mistakes openly
If you get something wrong, correct it clearly and promptly, and note the change. Credibility comes from accuracy over time, not from being first.
A simple research checklist
- Is each fact traceable to a primary or reputable source?
- Have I labelled speculation clearly?
- Could anything I publish harm a living person, or an active case?
- Have I considered how the victim's family will feel reading this?
- Would I be comfortable if the people I've written about, or their relatives, read it?
- Have I given any new information to the police rather than only publishing it?
Sources and further reading
- Crimestoppers UK
- The British Newspaper Archive
- Contempt of Court Act 1981 (legislation.gov.uk)
- The National Archives: Research guides
- FreeBMD
- Defamation Act 2013
Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.
Frequently asked questions
What should you know about 1. Start with primary sources?
Court records, inquest findings, official police appeals and contemporary newspaper reports are more reliable than forums or videos. In the UK, the British Newspaper Archive and local libraries are good places to start.
What should you know about 2. Separate fact, report and theory?
Keep three columns in your notes: what is confirmed by an official source, what was reported by a reputable outlet, and what is speculation. Many myths begin when a theory quietly moves into the first column.
What should you know about 3. Check dates and names twice?
Small errors spread fast. Confirm spellings and dates against at least two independent sources.
What should you know about 4. Never accuse a living person?
Naming someone as a suspect without charges can be defamatory and can ruin lives. In the UK, publishing material about an active case can also risk contempt of court.