Reddit users have created a subreddit to examine photographic and video evidence from Monday's explosions at the Boston Marathon to identify the bomber or bombers responsible. In their very public attempts to isolate the still-unknown assailant or assailants in the crowd, they are posting photos of enlarged and circled faces of individuals who may actually be witnesses or even victims of the attack, prompting some to call their process a violation of privacy.
The group, called r/FindBostonBombers, has hundreds of Redditors pointing their collective finger at several unknown people it considers suspicious based on their appearances and backpacks. Law enforcement has said the devices were contained in backpacks or large duffel bags, but authorities have provided no physical description of any suspect.
"Blue Robe Guy," a tall, bearded man wearing a red shirt and what appears to be a large blue fleece jacket rather than an actual robe, has become the group's favorite suspect. In photos posted elsewhere then compiled on Reddit, he is seen carrying a backpack that appears to match the color and style of one used to contain one of the explosive devices. (Mashable will not reproduce those photographs here to avoid incriminating a potentially innocent person.)
"I think you may be on to something," writes Redditor -RobotDeathSquad- of "Blue Robe Guy."
However, not all are buying into the theory: data embedded in the original photos show the man was standing a distance from the site of the explosions and was there three hours before the blasts went off. While it's not implausible a backpack might be left on the ground in a large crowd for such a long period of time, it's enough for some to doubt his involvement.
"Sure the guy seems weird, but a little skepticism, please," writes omgwtfitssteve. "You are pointing out a man from a photo nearly 3 HOURS before the fucking bomb went off. He's probably waiting for a relative [sic]."
The doubt about "Blue Robe Guy" is permeating the entire FindBostonBombers operation. As of Wednesday morning, the top thread on the subreddit is a reminder about Richard Jewell. Jewell, a security guard at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta found and reported a suspicious backpack that turned out to be a bomb. However, he was later suspected of planting the device himself and underwent a very public trial before his name was ultimately cleared.
"Why am I bringing this up? Because this sub is dedicated to pointing to random people in a crowd photograph and declaring your suspicions," wrote Redditor rroach, who started the Jewell thread. "You're starting the trial by public aspect."
Putting aside for a moment the obvious problems with public accusations on the Internet where any piece of posted content can potentially go viral, there's an element of racism beginning to work its way into parts of the Redditors' investigation as well. Several of the accused individuals are non-Caucasian, and it's difficult to say if they would be identified as a "suspect" were they non-white.
Several outside observers have also labeled the Redditors' amateur sleuthing efforts a dangerous game of public accusation and pointed out the potential racial profiling being carried out by the group:
@alexjamesfitz because they keep circling people who might be innocent. Photos could easily go viral. How'd you feel if people suspect you?— Allyn May Canja (@penny_lyn) April 17, 2013
@alexjamesfitz If it'll help authorities by pooling images that may not otherwise be on their radar it's good (1/2)— Jason Kenney (@jasonkenney) April 17, 2013
@alexjamesfitz (2/2) but readers should leave the sleuthing to the experts. Have to be careful not to create a Richard Jewell situation.— Jason Kenney (@jasonkenney) April 17, 2013
@alexjamesfitz I tweeted abt it earlier, terrible idea they are opening up potentially innocent people for harassment— LilEsBella (@LilEsBella) April 17, 2013
@alexjamesfitz some of the threads are blatantly racist pointing out people who are brown. So yeah, I don't approve of this— LilEsBella (@LilEsBella) April 17, 2013
Some other Redditors have even started making fun of FindBostonBombers, casting it as a group of wannabe digital forensics experts. Here's one satirical image posted in the group by a Redditor who's not taking part in the evidence analysis:
Image courtesy Imgur
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Boston Police Department, meanwhile, have requested anyone with photographs or video from Monday's attack submit it through the proper channels (by dialing 1-800-CALL-FBI for the FBI or 1-800-494-TIPS for the BPD) for professional analysis.
Do you think the subreddit is a legitimate attempt at a crowdsourced investigation, or a threat to the rights of the suspected and accused? Share your thoughts in the comments.