If You're Kidnapping Someone, Maybe Don't Search Google For 'Kidnapping'

from the be-careful-what-you-search-for dept

Thu, May 21st 2009 9:55am — Mike Masnick

We've seen a few stories in the past of an people's Google searches being used in court to convict them -- because it strikes people as quite a coincidence when you just so happened to Google the crime you're accused of committing right after (or before!) it happens. Michael Scott points us to the latest such case, where someone accused of kidnapping a 17-year-old girl in Palo Alto apparently searched the news for terms related to kidnapping and sexual assault. Of course, one could argue that it could just be someone interested in the case -- but assuming there's additional evidence, then it could be pretty damning. In the meantime, if you're going out and committing crimes, perhaps don't search for related terms on any machine that can be traced to you...

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Filed Under: evidence, google search, kidnapping
Companies: google

43 Comments

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Ima Fish, 21 May 2009 @ 10:00am

Note to self: The next time I decide to kidnap someone, be sure to search for "not kidnapping" in google a few days before.
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 21 May 2009 @ 10:07am

Re:
Or just hit up your local library.
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pk, 21 May 2009 @ 10:10am

from the article itself

"It added to a growing body of circumstantial evidence against the defendant, who the unnamed victim has never positively identified."

The prosecution needs all the circumstantial evidence it can get its hands when the victim is unable to identy the defendant.
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Ima Fish, 21 May 2009 @ 10:28am

Re: Re:
Yeah, but then I wouldn't have an alibi. My prior searching for "not kidnapping" is clear evidence that I did not kidnap anyone.
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lavi d (profile), 21 May 2009 @ 10:39am

Just Like Watching CSI
...if you're going out and committing crimes, perhaps don't search for related terms on any machine that can be traced to you...
Thanks!
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 10:39am

or google some other crime, and your defense can be that you couldn't possibly have kidnapped anyone because you were actually going to commit this other crime, "i'm not a kidnapper, i'm a car thief" or something along those lines. lol
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Ryan, 21 May 2009 @ 10:44am

Re:
Unless your best laid kidnapping plans go awry and you are forced to steal a car during your getaway, in which case you're doubly screwed...
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 10:46am

Re: Re:
Just don't use your own library card. They do log access!
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Al Capone, 21 May 2009 @ 10:48am

That's what...
That's what disposable phones and disposable computers are for...
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dan, 21 May 2009 @ 10:50am

a lawsuit will prolly ensue cuz some future kidnapper will get caught and convicted and use the defense... "but techdirt said..."
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 11:20am

Re: Re: Re:
God bless the fucking Patriot Act eh?
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SRS2000, 21 May 2009 @ 11:50am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
There is a video somewhere about the librarians who fought the Bush admin and their patriot act BS and won. They wanted all the information on who used their computers and etc and they refused. They were also told how they were not allowed to even tell anyone about it "or else"
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Trevlac, 21 May 2009 @ 11:53am

Re: That's what...
Best way to use a computer is get a laptop and pull out the hard drive. Boot to a small live distribution of Linux and just use an 8-16GB flash drive for temporary storage. That is, if you're doing anything illegal. Flash drives can easily be disposed of or completely erased.
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Hardened Criminal, 21 May 2009 @ 12:04pm

Re: Re: That's what...
Whoa there tech nerd! All I have to do is use the google to find out how to kidnap and follow the instructions. Now you want me to use a laptop instead of a computer? And the rest of your post is just jibberish.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 12:05pm

Re: Re: That's what...
Great advice... but it seems like that obscure little thing called an IP Address my cause you some problems...
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john, 21 May 2009 @ 12:31pm

ip addy my ass. Only idiots, to begin with don't use a proxy, and then leave their search history behind which points to crime. Forget what pc u used or how big it is.
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AC, 21 May 2009 @ 12:42pm

IP address
What's an IP address anyway? Wireless internet dongle with a pay as you go sim card which is unregistered, there you go internet access wherever you want with your own laptop and no way of tracing it back to you if you use a liveCD.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 12:56pm

You could also google terms like, "Donating to Charity", "Helping the homeless", "Spreading peace and joy", and "How to hide that I am really superman" to win over court sympathy.
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Killer_Tofu (profile), 21 May 2009 @ 1:06pm

Re: Re: Re:
Not the few I have been to around here.
Although they may have changed in the past two years (that was last time I was book searching at them).
They don't even scan the card to see that you are there. Only if you check out a book. =)

It would make good sense though for them to monitor. I guess. Not much use though unless somebody is looking up porn .. or kidnapping.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 1:11pm

Better yet...
... How about not doing anything stupid, like kidnapping someone.
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Buster, 21 May 2009 @ 1:12pm

Hilarious
Ok I had something to say, but I just spent the last 10 minutes laughing at this poor guy to remember what I was going to say.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 1:17pm

Kinda reminds me of Office Space
"I cannot believe what a bunch of losers we are. We're looking up 'money laundering' in the dictionary!"
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cvpunk, 21 May 2009 @ 2:26pm

Re: Re: That's what...
and you need to pull the HDD out why???
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cvpunk, 21 May 2009 @ 2:27pm

Re: Re: Re: That's what...
that's what Proxy's and MAC masking is for.
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cvpunk, 21 May 2009 @ 2:30pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: That's what...
or you could just hit up Burger King where they have free internet access.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 4:00pm

"In the meantime, if you're going out and committing crimes, perhaps don't search for related terms on any machine that can be traced to you..."

Please don't give criminals advice on how to get away with crimes. I get very upset at those forensic file shows because they give criminals the potential of analyzing how scientists reveal and prove that someone committed a crime and that increases their chances of finding ways around it. Then again, I suppose it could deter people from committing crimes.
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Anonymous Coward, 21 May 2009 @ 5:32pm

"So Johnny, what did you learn in school today?"

"I learned how to kidnapp someone and not get caught by reading techdirt during computer class"

>.>
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Trevlac, 21 May 2009 @ 8:24pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: That's what...
Until I read this reply I had lost a little faith in humanity, via the post before this one. Now my faith is restored.
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Trevlac, 21 May 2009 @ 8:33pm

Re: Re: Re: That's what...
Oh nevermind, there goes my faith again. Hard drives store any data and therefore EVIDENCE of what you did. Data forensics (my job) specifically caters to retrieval of data for court. We can get stuff that's been erased or formatted over for years. Even off of bad or broken hard drives. So yeah, not having one is the only 100% secure way.
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dude, 24 May 2009 @ 1:08am

Re: Re: Re: Re: That's what...
Ooook. Linux Distro, on a jump drive, ip masking w/ tor, sec tools to keep everything tight... use a public network outside of the building but still inside your vehicle... or maybe a borrowed vehicle... or better yet a STOLEN vehicle... oh yah... google what crime your gonna do... finish everything up w/ a proper shred on the thumbdrive, "lose" it in somebody's overcoat pocket @ the airport... then do w/e u gots 2 do. Ok. that sounds simple right?
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Anonymous Coward, 11 Jan 2010 @ 3:57pm

kidnappin rules
im a kidnapper. heres kidnap rules. 1. kidnap the kid while he/she is ALONE and when noones lookin, 2. always make sure u have at least 4 more kidnappers. 3. put the kid in trunk. 4. suficate or kill the kid
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:08am

g
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:10am

haha this is funny some idiot incriminates herself by doing research on the crime she is about to commit. what an idiot. . oh wait? I am about to go and kidnap my son.

lol. just kidding I don't have a son. did i scare you?
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2011 @ 10:10am

g
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maxtor, 23 May 2012 @ 10:00am

Clules kidnping
Guys m researching over common crimes 4 a awareness program. So some body can tel me if he/she is a first time crimnal how he/she will start that?
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Liam, 3 Jul 2012 @ 8:00am

Kidnap
I was researching for a film so I have no real intent on kidnapping anyone :)
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Anonymous Coward, 15 Oct 2012 @ 5:54am

Great Job! good luck with your kidnapping! Tom parsons is a good candidate
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Joe, 26 Dec 2013 @ 7:29pm

Re:
If u could be a kidnapper would you
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Joe, 26 Dec 2013 @ 7:37pm

Re: kidnappin rules
How bout not do the fourth step but just the first 3 and instead of kill the kid but just tie him up and hold him against his will but DO NOT KILL HIM!!!!!!!
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Joe, 26 Dec 2013 @ 7:42pm

Re:
You can kidnap me if you don't do step 4 instead of what I wrote before this
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MessyMan, 24 Feb 2015 @ 11:17am

Well, i am torn between amused and confused now...
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Random Nerd, 28 Aug 2018 @ 6:14pm

Re: Re: That's what...
Just clear your search history dummies
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Jacqueline Fortner, 25 Oct 2018 @ 7:35pm

Spy app (Spyzie) used for crime
I found a “Spyzie” app on my phone. It was used to steal items from my house and cars by notifying the perpetrator when I was away from my car and house. Numerous items were stolen, including $500.00 cash in my locked car. Who can be held responsible? Spyzie hasn’t answered me. They are protecting this thief and terrorist. Thanks.
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