Too much CSI, I would think

That's a lot of legwork.  Seems to me they likely would have focused on the email of the fellow who scheduled that last appointment.

Between people who knew him and recognized him on site via the photos released, his IP, the ability to hone in on that Blackberry and it's movements... not to mention drivers license photos at their fingertips in the data-bases, I doubt they had officers visiting fellows simply to see if they matched the physical description.

If I'm wrong, I'd love to hear about it.  (Not that I hope I am wrong.)

LE typically don't have time to sort through emails when the criminal is caught.

What purpose would it serve?

Forensic data analysis is time consuming. In this instance, LE somewhat lucked out.

You have to remember there were 3 "known" incidents....

....there is said to be a great deal of computer evidence: (e-mails, IP addresses, etc.)  Like cream, I am sure the similarities rose to the top or became evident in a hurry.  So I doubt many "other" people were inconvenienced.

Early on, Boston detectives had only 1 assault/robbery case.  They might have had to check out several leads...  but they had a list of players & I do feel sorry for any gentlemen who might have had to explain their whereabouts.  I wonder if the detectives were discrete or not.  I imagine they might have sweat several people if it was unclear which e-mail contact was the guilty party.      

When the murder/attempted robbery case came in, the case must have broken wide open.  Even a cursorary computer examination would reveal the common link...  and put him on the trail of the killer.  

Detectives are all about solving cases...  as quickly as possible.  Building their airtight case.  It's very fortunate that no one was hurt in the Warwick attempted robbery.
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There was a suspected murder here in Minnesota quite awhile ago.  Those that had contact with her the day of and before her death were questioned.  I don't think their wives were notified though.

this was not a shotgun approach.  For example, they knew he was using his back berry as he left a hotel at a specific time and they were able to identify hi that way  They tracked some other e mails using this address.  He was not questioned so I doubt others were.  He was followed.  I don;t think marriages were ruined.

Incidentally: Why did it have to be a medical student?  Why not a nice law student or MBA candidate?

Thank Gd he is caught and thank Gd there has been nothing about her "low life".  From all accounts this was an exceptional, talented young woman.  A real loss.