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Think It Through: the Clearer Thinking Podcast

Episode 16: Using evidence and logic to find the "Unfound:" An interview with Ed Dentzel

Apr 13, 2021
01:06:56

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In this episode, April talks with Ed Dentzel, host of the Unfound Podcast, which focuses on missing person cases with the stated goal of turning up new information that might lead to a resolution of the case. Ed discusses how he approaches each case, using research, interview skills, and good logic and reasoning to uncover information and present it to his listeners in a straightforward manner with little or no speculation or conjecture. If you've ever wondered what it takes to put together a true-crime podcast, this is a must-listen!

Episode 16 Show Notes:
Here's the Unfound Podcast website:
https://unfoundpodcast.podomatic.com/
According to NAMUS (which Ed references in the episode), the vast majority of missing person cases are resolved:
https://www.npr.org/2013/05/07/182000622/majority-of-missing-persons-cases-are-resolved
The NCIC (National Crime Information Center) reports that as of Dec. 31, 2019, there were 87,500 active missing person cases:
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/cjis-link/fbi-releases-2019-missing-person-statistics
Here's a helpful document if you suspect that a person is missing:
https://www.muni.org/Departments/police/Documents/checklists_for_missing_persons.pdf
New Jersey State Police's protocol for missing persons:
https://www.njsp.org/divorg/invest/pdf/mpi-best-practices-protocol.pdf
Some news articles relevant to the Thomas Brown case (this whole thing is really interesting, I'll be looking for the conclusion of the grand jury):
https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/new-details-released-in-canadian-teens-death#:~:text=A%20private%20investigator%20released%20new,remains%20were%20found%20in%20January
https://www.newschannel10.com/2019/11/12/hemphill-county-sheriff-nathan-lewis-resigns/
https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/hemphill-county-deputy-let-go-following-letter-addressing-credibility-from-county-attorney
Nate Silver! That's the 538 Podcast guy, and here's his book:
https://www.amazon.com/Signal-Noise-Many-Predictions-Fail-but/dp/0143125087
A good explanation of the "Peltzman Effect:"
https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Peltzman-Effect
Tad DiBiase's book about no-body homicide cases:
https://www.routledge.com/No-Body-Homicide-Cases-A-Practical-Guide-to-Investigating-Prosecuting/DiBiase/p/book/9781482260069

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