'Serial' fans have a new murder to unravel as Canadian detective crowd-sources investigation

An enterprising murder detective has tapped into the growing popularity of amateur sleuthing inspired by cult US podcast Serial by “crowd sourcing” an investigation into an unsolved killing.

Serial fans left bereft after the final episode of the murder investigation documentary last week are being encouraged to help a Toronto policeman get to the bottom of one of Canada’s most notorious cases.

Detective Tam Bui started posting clues to the murder of Mike Pimentel in early December. Mr Pimental was stabbed on the morning on New Year’s Day 2012 after attending a party with friends. The case has since gone cold. Now – after getting the green light from both his employers and the Pimental family – Mr Bui is tweeting scraps of information with the hashtag #mikepimentelmurder.

Each Saturday he releases a new clue and has so far posted photos of evidence including a hair extension, a high-heeled shoe and a set of keys with a distinctive key chain. The most recent clue tweet by the detective is a photo of a Stanley knife found at the scene, with the caption: “Do you know who was carrying this knife in 2011? Was it a friend, co-worker or family member?”

While the initial clues are already said to have prompted “a ton of positive responses” from members of the public, the project has also attracted criticism.

Some have pointed out that it simply attracts voyeurs who could end up wasting police time with numerous false leads – while others have accused Toronto police of exploiting unpaid enthusiasts.

But the Toronto Police Service adamantly supports the project and believes they are making progress.

Detective Jeff Tavares, who works in its homicide unit with Mr Bui, said the method could be a “unique way of drawing information from the public”.

“Rather than passively waiting for tips to come in, the police are bringing the evidence to people in a way that commands attention,” Mr Tavares said.