Public fascination with true crime has long existed, but its part in pop culture has resurged in the last decade with true crime podcasts and Netflix docuseries soaring in popularity. It isn’t all macabre, however, as public interest and armchair detectives have helped law enforcement crack dozens of cases, identify remains and bring killers to justice. Podcasts Serial and In The Dark revealed the miscarriages of justice relating to Adnan Syed and Curtis Flowers. Docuseries have done the same, such as Making A Murderer and The Innocent Man. Podcasts Up and Vanished and The Teacher’s Pet largely contributed to solving the murders of Tara Grinstead and Lynette Dawson.​

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Further documentaries and docuseries have highlighted how everyday citizens played crucial roles in solving murder and a range of crimes – including Don’t F*** with Cats, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, and The Most Hated Man on the Internet. Genealogists, backed by millions of people submitting their DNA to various websites, have contributed significantly to the world of true crime. They have helped identify victims, such as the Bear Brook victims and the Somerton Man, and they’ve helped catch killers, most notably the Golden State Killer.

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With continuing advances in technology and forensic techniques, the crime solving is no longer limited to those in uniform. The world is full of armchair detectives who may hold the key or possess the ability to find the missing link to bring justice, closure, or answers to mysteries everywhere. To move you along this journey, The DIY Detective creates interactive content for everyday citizens, crime junkies, and murderinos to hone their inner detective. Who knows, you may be the next to crack a case!