Post by pakman on Dec 28, 2021 16:07:46 GMT -5
I've been working on a number of AMW-related projects over the past few weeks and as I've been going through all the cases I've seen profiled, a question came to my mind; what determined how often a specific case was profiled?
Obviously AMW profiled hundreds (if not thousands) of cases over the years, but some of those cases clearly got more attention than others. A fugitive like William Greer, for example, was profiled nearly 20 times from 2007 to 2011. But then you have fugitives like Esnel Jean who, despite being wanted for a horrible crime, really didn't receive that many profiles (I think he was profiled 5 times; twice in 2000, once in 2001 and twice in 2009 - he went a full eight years without being profiled).
My question is, what exactly determined how my profiles a case received? I have a few ideas myself.
1. The publicity is working but the show is just one step behind the fugitive
This is the best explanation I have for William Greer getting so many profiles. He was initially profiled during 15 Seconds of Shame and given a larger profile later on. AMW kept getting tips on him and were literally just seconds behind him. As I recall, one time cops showed up at his abandoned apartment and the TV was still tuned to Fox. Plus he kept leaving behind clues (including one time where he had a stolen driver's license on him; AMW helped reunite the license with the owner's widow).
2. The story is getting national attention
I've noticed that when a story gets national coverage, AMW tends to give it attention as well. Despite how much coverage stories like Elizabeth Smart's abduction and the murder of Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen got, it was tips to AMW that helped solve those cases (I seem to recall that some people were convinced that there was a conspiracy behind Ronni Chasen's death since it was AMW that solved the case). But AMW built up that reputation for keeping tipsters anonymous. Heck, AMW even got an exclusive interview with Scott Peterson while Laci Peterson was missing.
3. There's a new push by investigators
I think one big factor in a case getting attention would be if a new investigator came on board to breathe new life into a case. I think it's safe to say this is why Glen Chambers got so much attention, despite at the time being a nearly 20-year-old case. And I remember around late 2009/early 2010 Florida law enforcement went so far as to put up billboards with age-enhanced photos of escapees to try and find them. I also remain convinced this is why Wallace Thrasher got so many profiles in AMW's later years. I want to say he was profiled four times from 2010-2012, which is really unusual for a case that old where there hadn't been any obvious leads in quite some time (none of his profiles featured an update). Maybe investigators made one last effort to find him before the case was dismissed.
4. No new leads are coming in
This would be an argument for why certain cases don't see much attention. Going back to Esnel Jean, maybe the show wasn't getting any leads or tips on him. I remember in 2009 they got a tip that he was working on a freighter in Florida, but they couldn't find him.
Anyone else have any ideas of what might have led AMW to focus on a case, or even pass on a case?
