WebSleuthsReviews 106

I have been a member of Websleuths for over a year. I find most of the other members to be caring, intelligent people who write interesting commentary on cases. They frequently bring relevant life and job experience to bear on the discussions. For example, members come from all sorts of occupations that can be relevant to a case under discussion: attorneys, teachers, nurses, psychologists, social workers, members of law enforcement, etc.

I don't understand why so many of the reviews on this site are negative, but it looks like many of the people commenting here violated Websleuths' terms of service. The TOS stipulate a variety of rules that keep the site informative and civil: information must come from a mainstream media source; victim-shaming is not tolerated; family members of victims or suspects are not to be sleuthed; etc. I comment quite often and I've never had a "time out."

If you are interested in Websleuths, check it out. With over 150,000 Websleuth members, the reviews on this site are not representative of most members. Judge for yourself.

This site claims to be one where cases and evidence can be discussed in an environment free form cursing and harassment, but what it really is, a place where intelligence is shunned, and if people don't dummy-down, they are removed-literally for no reason. There are little posts that are applied to the banning or "time-outs" but they seem more like a technicality than a legitimate reason for removing persons. At one time Websleuths had excellent research and posters were quite brilliant, but it's almost as if the owner of this website wants to keep the intelligence level down to lower triple digit IQs or less. Maybe these become the most loyal followers. I've messaged with people who are afraid of saying the wrong thing, who are thoughtful and well informed. Why should anyone participate on a blog where one would have to be afraid of saying what is on one's mind ins a respectful manner. And that is the point here. I would understand if people were banned because they were trolling and rude, but very nice people get banned. It's almost Orwellian. Bad site. And you can never really leave. It's not like Reddit where you can erase comments and identity-they want those kept, even if you are no longer there. You gotta wonder why, and what the actual agenda is here.

II joined eagerly thinking this is kind of forum I could learn law from and how investigations are actually done. I was wrong. Most of those I've come across do not go by any law standards and feel free to through half truths into a mix of lies. People arrested are already guilty even before the arraignment. Modern-day old-school witch hunt. They question the ability for LE to do their jobs by trying to fit triangles into a circular hole and not understanding why things they feel are not adding up. Certain pet rocks get the treatment of the free range to where they can say any nasty old thing they want about both victims and the accused and then when called on it parade a miss america speech of thank you's to the towns LE and all those that hold office then go in for the dig on the person. Unimpressed with Moderators and Grown adults viciously attacking others insofar as placing words into other's mouths when the other person simple doesn't feel they are making sense in what they are saying. Not my place. I'd rather make some friends who KNOW LE like the back of their hands. Sticking to the rules of LAW is justice for the victims. Not bashing their parents or grandparents. NOT a VICTIM FRIENDLY SITE

Constantly saw relevant posts removed. It is extremely apparent that they do not like the truth. They act like the Rhoden family were angels even though they were criminals as well. If you refer the Rhoden family's criminal past you will receive an automatic ban even though they found evidence of $#*! fighting and marijuana grow operations on their properties. Their (Rhodens) social media posts are full of hate filled prejudice comments and images and if you mention it on WS you will get attacked removed or banned. The WM3(west memphis 3) thread is more of the same. If you state an opinion not mirroring that of the mods of those that have donated to Tricia Griffiths bogus GFM you will be give a ban. I would stay away from this site at all costs. Seems like a bunch of simple minded old hags that stay up all night posting the same rambling bs.

There's no sleuthing at all on WS. Once MSM posts news, it can be discussed.
The mods allow members to make false allegations against innocent people, make fun of handicapped persons & ridicule physical appearance of suspects & their family/friends.
Threads are repetitious with sophomoric remarks. Certain members compete for the most "likes" for their posts. There is a lot of humor, members think LE read WS & use their posts to solve crimes. I suspect if we could see the members, it'd be similar to an Aerosmith video. You know... the fat lady with curlers in her hair?
The same members are online pretty much 24/7. Once they've "solved" the case they are currently sleuthing, they will "report" anyone with the audacity to differ in opinion.
Wonder how many lawsuits are pending against WS?
If you want a laugh on a boring day, this is the place to go. If you truly have interest in a case, stay away.

Long time member but I got peeved when a moderator slammed another member for something and the moderator was incorrect. When I corrected the mod, I was "shushed" and my posts deleted.

The mod was 100% incorrect and links were provided to prove it. But they don't like not looking good. They shut people up, and doing so in this situation could put lives at risk. This place is not what it once was. Avoid it. They put lives at risk in favor of not wanting their mods to look bad when they mess up.

It's seriously a rule. You can't call the mods out for being wrong. Wtf is that?

If you want to be timed out for having an opinion that differs from the mods or the favorite posters opinions, if you want to be bombarded by the owner TRICIA GRIFFITH begging for donations, if you want to have your PM's read by the mods, then this is the place for you. And that doesn't even cover the fact that most of these threads are ruined by Tricia and her minions inability to stick to simple rules. The rules that are implemented are ridiculous and do not allow you to be a websleuth-er, which is ironic given their name. And that is if you can follow the rules, considering Tricia and her mods change the rules depending on the thread, and the poster.

There are favorite posters who basically post what they wish, I assume they are giving Tricia money, usually how it works there. And then there are posters who get banned for simply having an opinion.

And now Tricia, and her little pet, Levi, want members to leave 5 star reviews and donate money to a podcast that they have not even made an episode of yet. So hilarious.

Here's a suggestion that would make the site 100% better, TRICIA, sell up to someone with a brain and good morals, and you run along and get a job. Then you won't have to keep asking the people you plan to ban or the people you $#*! about in your secret mod threads for money.

(I haven't even been banned yet, I didn't get that far before walking away)

I registered with this website to follow a local missing-persons case and was blocked with the following message:
You are on a Time Out for the following reason:
"Is there any constructive reason for continuing this barely relevant thread?" After making this comment it is apparent you are not going to work out at Websleuths. I would try Topix.

Date the Time Out will be lifted: Never

Given the outrageous assumptions that were being aired on this site, I find their response to my comment unbelievable.

I was a member for several years and, while it's a good way to keep informed on cases you see in the news, there are too many members whose sole purpose is to cut other people down. There are threads on the website where decorum is maintained and you feel comforted knowing there are people who truly care about victims, want to see justice through, and want to help unravel clues that will lead to justice. Some members really are able to contribute knowledge and skills to the forums because of their backgrounds. Other members are there not to add anything productive or intelligent--just to have something condescending to say to or about other members. As another reviewer said, some of the threads are about taking sides and certain members are hateful toward other members who state a point-of-view that differs from their own. I tried to make new members feel welcome and delicately defend them (trying not to offend either side), but got cut down as well. While some people on the forums are quick to accuse someone in a case (even family members of a victim) of a crime, others adamantly defend a suspect with overwhelming evidence against him/her who is named as a suspect by law enforcement, even to the point of vilifying the victim, law enforcement and the legal system, and persist in their opinion after the suspect has been found guilty in a court of law. Although such members are usually in the minority, they lash out at everyone else discussing the case. The forums are moderated, but moderators are inconsistent in dealing with bullies--they are sometimes hateful themselves and show favoritism. Some threads become very long not because of a lot of movement or analysis in the case, but because some people do not read the thread before posting, even a page or two back or if it's a short thread, and others post comment after comment without saying anything productive. Sometimes it appears to be a contest to see who can end up with the most posts. I think some members believe they will get to become a moderator and influence the direction of the website if they reach a certain number of posts. I would not recommend the website to people who are sensitive (the people most likely to care about crime victims). If you don't already suffer from depression you probably will after joining WebSleuths, not only from reading about the terrible crimes people commit but also from your treatment by other members.