Serial Killer Database Wiki:Guidelines

Welcome to the Serial Killer Database! To maintain a high standard of quality and ensure a respectful, informative community, we ask that all contributors adhere to the following guidelines:

Verifiability[]

Main article: Help:Verifiability

All information added to articles must be verifiable and sourced from reliable references. Use inline citations to support factual statements. If you are unsure about the reliability of a source, refer to our Reliability page.

Neutral Point of View (NPOV)[]

Main article: Help:Neutral point of view

Contributions should be written from a neutral point of view. Avoid biased or sensational language, and ensure that all perspectives are fairly represented.

Respect and Sensitivity[]

Given the nature of the content, it is crucial to handle topics with respect and sensitivity. Avoid graphic details and ensure that victim information is presented with dignity.

Article Structure[]

Main article: Help:Page Structure

See also: Help:Formatting guidelines

Follow the standardized structure for articles, as outlined in the [Manual of Style]. This includes sections for Early Life, Crimes, Investigation, and Trial, among others. Ensure that each section is well-organized and coherent.

Citation and Formatting[]

Main article: Help:Citing sources

Use the appropriate templates for citations, such as {{Cite web}}, and {{Cite book}}. Refer to our Citing sources page for detailed instructions on citation formats. Additionally, use templates like {{Birth}} and {{Death}} for dates to ensure consistency.

Maintenance and Tags[]

Main article: Specific template guidance

Utilize maintenance templates to flag articles that need improvement. For multiple issues, use the {{MultipleIssuesList}} or the {{MultipleIssues}} template. Familiarize yourself with the Maintenance template removal page to understand how and when to remove these templates.

Discussion and Consensus[]

Main article: Discussions

Engage in discussions on talk pages to resolve disputes and reach consensus. Be respectful and open to different viewpoints. Major changes should be discussed with the community before implementation.

Original Research[]

Avoid adding original research or personal theories. Stick to information that can be verified through reliable sources.

Editing Etiquette[]

Be courteous in your edits. Do not engage in edit warring; instead, use the talk pages to discuss disagreements. Always summarize your edits to provide context to other editors.

Use of Templates[]

Main article: Manual of Style

Use appropriate templates to mark issues, add information, or provide additional context. Refer to our Manual of Style page for a list of available templates and their usage instructions.

Link Rot[]

Main article: Help:Link Rot

To prevent link rot, archive sources using services like the Internet Archive. If a link becomes dead, follow the instructions on our link rot page to repair or replace it.

Conflict of Interest[]

Main article: Help:Conflict of interest

Editors should avoid editing articles where they have a conflict of interest. If you have a connection to the subject, disclose it on the article's talk page and seek feedback from other editors.

Privacy and Legal Concerns[]

Main article: Policy:Articles About Living Persons

While serial killers are public figures, apply a higher standard of care for victims, victims' families and friends, offenders' family and friends, and others connected to the crimes and investigation, ensuring all content complies with legal standards.

Help and Resources[]

If you are new or need assistance, refer to our help pages:

By following these guidelines, you contribute to a reliable and respectful resource for all users. Thank you for your contributions and commitment to quality.

For any questions or further assistance, please reach out on the community portal or contact the administrators.