We know that skin on Partridge's shoulder was removed right. What does it mean ? IMHO it means that Partridge is that. Can you image someone trying to hide a tatoo of a FAKE body? It's nonsense.
"Oh yeah, there is no tatoo. But wait a second, who the f*** is this guy?"
I don't believe that Red John is an organization or a cult. It should be one person. Lorlei refers him as one male person "him". Voice of RJ is same in all conversations he had with Jane.
I think that Red John is in the list. He should be in it. Some theories suggest Mashburn or other guys as RJ. So why are NOT they in the list? Why isn't Mashburn in the list?
If RJ is someone out of the list, it means that Jane is not smart enough.
So no need to wacth the series.
The list is legit and Jane is sure of it. Remember he said the list is down to 5 suspects and it is a managable number.