They've just interviewed her father on bbc breakfast....
I think the poor bloke is grieving & clutching at straws to try & make some sense of his daughters death. He said he took an instant dislike to the bloke, & warned his daughter off him, but she didn't take his warnings on board.
However, this proposal is not the answer, I think its impractical, and it wouldn't have stopped his daughter meeting this bloke (even if it had been in place I don't think she would have crc'd him... I doubt many people would crc someone they had met, whether online or not). And, sadly, love can be blind. I know plenty of girls that go out with blokes they know have been violent to previous partners... they tell themselves they wouldn't behave that way towards them.
I think if any changes to legislation should be considered as a result of this tragedy it should perhaps begin with an thorough review of the laws & available resources regarding domestic violence & stalking,
In terms of establishing someones background that you have met online, a google search can be very useful. And then a massive dose of common sense & putting safety measures in place when then meeting them. I've met quite a few blokes that I met online (prior to meeting & marrying MrD), and I always had a set up where by I would have to phone in to a friend at certain times, secret "panic" words to say if I was in trouble, planned steps for that friend to take if I failed to call in, ensuring that friend had all the information I had.
Once though I was actually background checked prior to meeting a bloke, cos he was in the Army based in Ireland. I had to be security cleared before I was allowed to go & visit him over there.