Looking for Someone? Use the Ex-Factor
In a very connected world, it is still difficult to track down people. At Santoni Investigations, we know that and rely on people as our best source for information. What they observe and hear can be vital to any case. Whether you are tracking down a witness to a car accident or a former employee, knowing what they will say or not say, can make or break your case.
In many instances, a locate investigation will be necessary to serve a witness with a subpoena or to setup an interview. We often find that in conducting a locate investigation that it is vital to develop a profile on the subject we are tracking down. In order to get a grasp of where they might be residing or working, you need to understand their past and what would motivate them to cooperate.
Oftentimes, hard-to-locate subjects cannot be found because they are residing with a relative, which does not typically show up on database searches. Subjects with histories of run-ins with the law can be found in prison or jail. Elderly subjects are often residing with relatives or have been put into assisted care facilities. A subject with a history of financial issues, including collection issues, unsteady employment and judgments, will pose a problem for an untrained investigator. Understanding how to read and interpret database searches can provide useful profile information on a subject.
A locate investigation should include a variety of database searches, inquiries with postal authorities, discreet calls to phone numbers developed, property searches, employment database searches, professional license searches and searches of social networking and professional networking sites.
Discreet calls to the subject and his or her relatives and associates are the best way to verify information. A skilled investigator utilizes a trap line and blind line service to approach a subject in a professional and discreet manner.
Using the Ex-factor for Locate Investigations
When a subject has gone “underground,” an experienced investigator will look for what we refer to as the “Ex-factors.”
- Ex-spouse
- Ex-boyfriend
- Ex-partner
- Ex-landlord
- Ex-neighbor
- Ex-boss
- Ex-co-worker
Once an “ex” is identified, a tactful conversation must be had to develop useful information that will help the investigator locate the subject.
Clients often ask what kind of information we need to locate a subject. “Can you locate someone if all I have is his or her name?” The answer to this question is most often yes. A trained investigator can work from a name to a pool of possible people subject based on location of residence or employment, associations, relatives and other pieces of information that can positively identify your subject.