Can you give the cops an IP address?

Question

I own a website, and on my forum someone is seriously considering suicide.

I have the persons IP address, is there anyway to contact athoritys and would they be able to use the IP address to help?

Answer 1

Probably. You mite actually save their life.

Answer 2

You can give it to them - but they probably wont be able to find the person. The IP address you have for the person is their "external" IP address which belongs to not their computer - but the internet provider that they use. If the cops are able to decipher who the internet provider is, they "might" be able to track down what customer belongs to the modem that is broadcasting with that IP address. But it usually takes weeks to do, and a court order signed by a judge before the ISP will give the cops the customers name/address.

Answer 3

i'm sure  

Answer 4

Yes, just call them and they will direct you to the appropriate person or people. They could track down the address to the owner if such IP address and intervene the attempted suicide??

Answer 5

Yes, in fact it's required by law to do so. Of course, depending in your state/province it is.

The police, or even me or you, can find out where someone lives via an IP address.

The ISP can be contacted by the Police to get an exact address of that account holder.

Answer 6

Yes - definitely call the cops and give them the IP address and the posts about suicide.  You might be able to help save a life.

Answer 7

yes make the call