Pipeline
How it works
Lost Folder is built around a single non-negotiable rule: verified information reaches the public; everything else stays in review.
Stage 01
Submission intake
Tips and new case reports require a name and a working contact method (email or phone). Anonymous submissions are rejected at the form level. Submissions never publish directly.
Stage 02
Private moderation queue
Authenticated moderator and agency-liaison accounts review each item. The queue is invisible to the public. Rate limits reduce spam floods by IP and contact.
Stage 03
Cross-reference
Moderators ideally confirm details against the reporting agency of record or equivalent NamUs-style verification sources before marking a record verified.
Stage 04
Verified gate
Public pages and public API routes select only records where verified = true. Timeline entries carry the same gate. Unverified material stays internal.
Stage 05
No public commentary
Case pages do not host comments, votes, or discussion threads. The public can submit tips privately; they cannot post about a case publicly on this platform.
Partnership model
We aim to complement — not replace — law enforcement and medical examiner systems. Agency partners may request verified professional access. Public users never need an account to browse verified files or submit tips.