This sure is an interesting exploration. Now I will tick everybody off.
Putting collection info on-line may acually help secure the artifacts.
In my (limited) sphere, I am aware of as many cases of material walking
out the backdoor as the front. I do believe that a wider awareness of
exactly what stuff USED to exist in several museums' collections would
work more people up to the degree that maybe fewer trustees and staffers
would have the gall to 'de-accession' inappropriate items.
Yes, I realize that there would be a better solution--in a better world.
Go ahead, let me have it.