Skip Tracing
Skip tracing is the process of locating an individual who is difficult to find, often because they have moved without leaving a forwarding address or are deliberately avoiding being found. Private investigators (PIs) are skilled in skip tracing and use a variety of techniques to locate such individuals.
Here’s how a PI can help:
1. Database Searches
PIs have access to specialized databases that are not available to the general public. These databases can provide information such as:
- Credit reports: Indicating recent activity and current addresses.
- Utility records: Showing where someone might have established utility services.
Vehicle registrations: Revealing where a person’s vehicle is registered.
2. Public Records Examination
PIs can meticulously search public records, including:
- Court records: Looking for recent court appearances or legal filings.
- Property records: Identifying property ownership or recent sales.
- Marriage and divorce records: Providing current marital status and associated addresses.
3. Documenting Violations of Court Orders
- Surveillance
Surveillance can be used to gather information about the subject’s habits and whereabouts. Examples include:
- Following known associates: Observing friends, family, or known associates who may lead to the subject.
- Monitoring frequented locations: Watching places the subject is known to visit regularly.
4. Social Media and Online Activity
PIs can analyze a subject’s online presence to gather clues about their location, such as:
- Social media profiles: Checking posts, check-ins, and photos for location information.
- Online marketplaces: Looking for listings or transactions that reveal current whereabouts.
5. Interviews
Conducting interviews with people who might have information on the subject’s location, including:
- Neighbors: Asking if they have seen the subject or know their new address.
- Employers or coworkers: Inquiring about recent job changes or relocations.
- Friends and family: Getting leads on where the subject might be staying.
6. Networking
PIs often have a network of other investigators and law enforcement contacts who can provide additional resources and information. For example:
- Professional associations: Collaborating with other PIs to gather information.
- Law enforcement liaisons: Accessing resources and databases that are otherwise restricted.
Examples of Skip Tracing Situations
1. Debtor Evasion
- Scenario: A debtor owes a significant amount of money and has disappeared to avoid repayment.
- PI’s Role: The PI might use credit report monitoring to find any new credit applications, and surveillance to track down the debtor’s new place of employment.
2. Missing Person
- Scenario: A family member has gone missing and there are no leads.
- PI’s Role: The PI might search social media for recent activity, interview friends and family, and check hospital and arrest records.
3. Witness Location
- Scenario: A key witness in a legal case cannot be found to provide testimony.
- PI’s Role: The PI might use public records to track down the witness’s current address or employment, and conduct interviews with known associates.
4. Child Custody Cases
- Scenario: A non-custodial parent has taken the child and is in hiding.
- PI’s Role: The PI might follow the digital trail left by the parent’s online activities and use surveillance to track down the location.
By employing these methods, private investigators can effectively locate individuals who are trying to remain hidden, ensuring that legal, financial, and personal matters can be addressed appropriately.
Contact us today at info@dfwinvestigators.com for a discreet consultation.