You’ve probably heard of what’s being called the “Idaho 4” homicide case on social media, where 4 college students of the University of Idaho were stabbed to death in the middle of the night by a man who broke into their house in 2022. The case went viral online, with many people thinking they would be the ones to solve the case that seemed to be going cold. There were numerous videos and TikToks of people surveying footage from that night and making assumptions about who could have committed the horrible crime.
While it’s possible that an amateur could have been right in solving the crime, what actually happened was much worse. The Internet began accusing the surviving roommates and the friends of those who died, spreading stories and theories with little to no proof. This started an onslaught of death threats and hateful comments towards the surviving friends and roommates, who turned out to be innocent in the end and not attached to the crime.
While anyone with a phone and internet access can be involved in online sleuthing, it might not always be helpful.
The Appeal of Amateur Sleuthing
It’s easy to see why these cases attract attention online:
- The mystery is compelling.
- People feel like they’re part of something important.
- There’s a sense of community when strangers share tips, theories, and discoveries.
TikTok in particular makes it easy to create, share, and spread content quickly. But what starts as curiosity can spiral into something dangerous.
Confirmation Bias: The Risks No One Talks About
When amateur investigations play out on social media:
- Facts get blurred. Misinformation spreads faster than corrections.
- Innocent people get hurt. False accusations can ruin reputations and lives.
- Evidence can be compromised. Anything posted publicly may harm ongoing investigations.
Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs while disregarding evidence that contradicts them. The Idaho case is just one example of how quickly an online theory can become a witch hunt, where truth is left behind and real people get hurt.
How Professional Investigators Work Differently
Licensed private investigators operate within legal and ethical boundaries and follow strict methodologies to gather evidence forensically. That means:
- Gathering evidence that will hold up in court using time-tested, systematic methods.
- Conducting surveillance and interviews legally.
- Protecting the privacy of those involved until facts are confirmed.
- Staying objective, even when the case is emotional.
In other words, the work is about truth, not theories.
Where Curiosity and Professionalism Can Overlap
The drive to uncover answers isn’t a bad thing. In fact, some cases have benefited from the public’s attention, especially when it comes to spreading missing person alerts or identifying key witnesses. But when curiosity crosses into accusation without evidence, it becomes a liability instead of a help.
How to Be a Responsible Sleuth
If you want to engage with cases online:
- Stick to verified updates from law enforcement or credible investigative agencies.
- Share factual information rather than speculation.
- Avoid naming or targeting individuals without proof.
- Remember that real people — often grieving people — are at the center of these stories.
The Bottom Line
Social media has given everyone a platform to share ideas and theories, but it’s also blurred the line between responsible curiosity and reckless accusation. Licensed investigators have the training, tools, and legal clearance to uncover the truth without causing unnecessary harm.
If you’re passionate about seeing justice served, the best way to help is to support those who are doing the work the right way.