The internet has taken crime solving to a new level. Audrina Patridge is a great example of how people are using the web to take things into their own hands. After her Hollywood Hills home was broken into on Oscar night, The Hills star turned to the web to ask you to help her. She posted the video of the burglary on her blog and is hoping the exposure might help identify the criminal.
"I had a really rough day today—I got home late last night and realized that my house had been robbed. it was pretty devastating," Audrina Patrdige wrote.
"I spent most of the morning filling out police reports and going through the house room by room making lists of everything that had been taken. Most of the items are replaceable, but they took off with a few very sentimental things too. Definitely not a good way to start the week."
While using YouTube and MySpace to help some crimal cases isn’t new, having someone like Audrina Patridge bring these new techniques into the media spotlight could help it become more mainstream.
Social Media Crime Stoppers
Audrina Patridge Asks For Your Help With Her Burglary Video
Trend Themes
1. Web-based Crime Solving - Opportunity to develop online platforms and tools specifically designed for crowd-sourced crime-solving.
2. Celebrity Influenced Investigations - Possibility for leveraging the reach and influence of celebrities to raise awareness and gather information on criminal cases through social media.
3. Mainstream Adoption of Online Crime Reporting - Potential for increased acceptance and usage of online platforms for reporting and solving crimes, driven by media attention and public participation.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity for developing advanced crime-solving technologies and software for web-based investigations.
2. Digital Media and Entertainment - Opportunity to create new platforms that engage celebrities and their followers in crime-solving efforts, integrating entertainment and social impact.
3. Law Enforcement and Security - Potential for collaboration between law enforcement agencies and online platforms to streamline the reporting and investigation process, enhancing efficiency and community involvement.