Two months ago, former SCC student Heather Cassel was found dead from a gunshot to the head by College Terrace Apartments, less than half a mile from SFCC’s campus. Due to the location of the gunshot wound, Spokane Police had trouble identifying Cassel until they posted pictures of her tattoos on facebook. Not only were they able to identify Cassel, but they were also able to apprehend persons of interest in the murder by examining Cassel’s movements via facebook on the day of her kidnap and murder.

Social media is playing an increasing role with police departments attemtping to trace the steps of victims and suspects. From the murder of Heather Cassel, to the May Day Riots in Seattle, to finding and arresting the Boston Bombers, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have played key roles in crime solving.

Detective Bob Mossman and Officer Mike McCasland of the Spokane Police Department acknowledged the speed of social media when it comes to solving cases.

“It’s like moving from dial-up internet to DSL,” Detective Mossman said.“It seems like a completely different world.”

Social media allows people with information to have immediate access to the police and can post descriptions of the suspect and tell the public where the crime happened instead of waiting for updates.

“It is fast acting, and can reach a large number of people in a short amount of time,” McCasland said. “The public gets information on the crime right away, instead of a few hours later, or the next day.

“The only problem is the same twenty to thirty bloggers read the Facebook page regularly.”

The City of Spokane Police Department Facebook page currently has 8,052 likes and they have 2,431 followers on Twitter. While the numbers don’t seem to add up, with help from the KHQ and KXLY news pages the Spokane Police Department can still get the word out to over 300,000 people in the greater Spokane area.

“I’m very happy with the way social media has helped out with solving cases.” Mossman said.