What does that mean? ELI5. Thanks.
When someone says they are "following leads," they look for clues or information to find an answer or solve a problem. People follow leads when they want to figure something out.
Detectives and police follow leads.
Detectives and police officers follow the lead when they investigate crimes. When a crime happens, like a robbery or murder, the police must find out who did it. So they look for clues and information that might tell them what happened. These clues and pieces of information are called "leads."
For example, if someone breaks into a house and steals a TV, the police will look for leads to find the robber. They might:
- Talk to people who live nearby to see if they saw or heard anything suspicious
- Look for fingerprints or other clues the robber left behind
- Check if any security cameras caught the robber on video
- See if the stolen TV shows up at a pawn shop or someone tries to sell it
Each of these things could be a "lead" that helps the police find the robber. The police will "follow the leads," which means they will investigate each clue to see if it leads them to the person who committed the crime.
Journalists and reporters follow leads.
Journalists and reporters also follow leads when getting information for a story. If reporters hear about something interesting or important happening, they will try to find people who know about it to get more details for their story.
For instance, imagine a reporter hearing that a big company is polluting a river. The reporter needs facts and proof to write a story about it. So the reporter will follow leads like:
- Talking to people who work at the company to see if they know anything
- Trying to find documents or records that show the company is polluting
- Taking water samples from the river to test if it is polluted
- Interviewing people who live near the river about what they have seen
Following these leads, the reporter can gather information to write a truthful story about the company polluting the river.
Scientists follow leads
Scientists are always trying to learn new things and make discoveries. When they do experiments or research, they often follow leads to find answers to their questions.
As an example, think about scientists studying a new disease. They might follow leads like:
- Looking at where the disease started and how it spreads to understand it better
- Collecting samples from sick people to see what is making them ill
- Testing different medicines to find one that can treat or cure the disease
- Studying the germs or viruses that cause the disease to learn how they work
Each piece of information the scientists find is like a clue that leads them closer to understanding the disease. By following these leads, they can hopefully find a way to prevent or treat the illness.
How do people follow leads?
People can follow leads in many different ways, depending on what they are trying to find out. But there are some common things people do when they follow leads.
Asking questions and talking to people
One of the main ways people follow leads is by asking questions and talking to people who might know something. Detectives speak to witnesses, reporters interview sources, and scientists consult with other experts.
When people follow a lead, they try to ask questions that will give them useful information. They might ask things like:
- What did you see or hear?
- When and where did it happen?
- Who else was involved or might know something?
- Can you show me any evidence or proof of what happened?
By asking the right questions, people can get valuable information that helps them follow the lead and find the answers they seek.
Looking for physical evidence and clues
Another way people follow leads is by searching for physical evidence and clues related to what they are investigating. This could include things like:
- Fingerprints, blood, or other traces left at a crime scene
- Documents, photos, or videos that show what happened
- Objects or materials that are important to the case
For example, if a detective is investigating a murder, they will look for physical clues like the murder weapon, blood stains, or signs of a struggle. These pieces of evidence can be leads that help them figure out what happened and who did it.
Researching and analyzing information
Following leads also involves doing research and analyzing information. People look for facts and details in books, articles, databases, and other sources that can help them better understand the situation.
For instance, a journalist writing a story about a corrupt politician might:
- Read old news articles about the politician to learn about their background and past actions
- Search public records to see if the politician has done anything illegal or unethical
- Analyze the politician's financial documents to look for signs of corruption or bribery
By carefully researching and analyzing information from different sources, journalists can find leads that help them uncover the truth about the politician's corruption.
Why is following leads important?
Following leads is important because it helps people find the truth and solve problems. Without leads, many crimes would go unsolved, important stories wouldn't be told, and scientific discoveries wouldn't be made.
By following leads, people can:
Get justice for victims.
When detectives follow leads to solve crimes, they can catch criminals and get justice for victims and their families. This helps keep people safe and shows that there are consequences for breaking the law.
Inform the public
Journalists who follow leads and uncover important stories keep the public informed about what is happening worldwide. This helps people make better decisions and holds leaders accountable for their actions.
Make scientific breakthroughs
Scientists follow leads to make discoveries that can change the world. By carefully researching and investigating their ideas, they can find cures for diseases, invent new technologies, and expand human knowledge.
