Missing Persons U. S. A.: How to Hunt Down and Find Anyone, Anywhere 0873647718, 9780873647717

Citation preview

How to

Hunt

Down

and Find Anyone, Anywhere 1 HV6762 .U5

U5 1994x I

ER WlLLARD

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

PERS^S WiTK No

longer

4WN rartyoftria Library.

Jfe Library

Missing Persjis How to

Hunt

Down

and Find Anyone, Anywhere Roger Willard Paladin Press

•

boulder, Colorado

Missing Persons USA:

How to Hunt Down and Find Anyone, Anywhere by Roger Willard Copyright

©

1994 by Roger Willard

ISBN 0-87364-771-8 Printed in the United States of America

Published by Paladin Press, a division of

Box USA.

Paladin Enterprises, Inc., P.O.

Boulder, Colorado 80306,

1307,

(303) 443-7250

Direct inquiries and/or orders to the above address.

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no portion of this

book may be reproduced

in

any form

without the express written permission of the publisher.

Neither the author nor the publisher assumes

any responsibility for the use or misuse of information contained in this book.

Contents

^m

Q A ^

Introduction

—A Short Story Chapter 2 —Details Chapter

1

A

—Where Chapter 4—My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources Think About Chapter —Things Chapter 6—When You Are Stumped Chapter 7 —Coincidences Do Happen! Chapter 8— of Mind

^R

Conclusion

^B

Appendix

^w

— Request Change of Address Appendix C—Request Box Disclosure Appendix D —Request Business Boxholder Information Appendix E — Locator Addresses Appendix F— Book and Publishers Appendix G—Bibliography

^n ^h ^^ ^ra

^n ^M ^H ^^ ^H

Chapter 3

to Start?

5

to

State

A—Missing

Appendix B

Person Report, Personal Data for

for P.O. for

Military

Distributors

P.O.

Dedication

It

was

in

November 1973

lowing year he took

that

me under

bounty hunter. From then on, ing persons

and began

ple. Charlie taught

would lead us

me

to learn as

a

lot,

and

for this

all

his wing,

as I

but

I

O

I

fol-

became

a

miss-

could about finding peo-

am

grateful. Later

we

remain friends and

of that, Charlie, this

you.

and

was hooked on hunting

I

much

in different directions,

frequently. So, in saying

met Charlie George. The

I

book

is

our paths talk

dedicated to

Acknowledgment

Patti, my

wife,

first

learned of

ent and, it

all

more so

then that

life

with

at times, difficult.

she has helped

me

in

midnight runs with

we were even

Charlie George before

knew

my

me would

She married

more ways than

I

be somewhat

me

all

my love,

thank you.

C m

differ-

anyway. Through

could ever count, one

being the countless hours she spent proofreading So, to Patti, with

married. She

this

book

for

me.

IB

Warning

To

the reader, thank

with

it

you

activities

erally legal

and proper, except where

may

that

it

where you

publisher nor this

book

in

I

to use

it

this

in a

book, but

responsible

described herein are gen-

stated otherwise, not every state

way. Please be forewarned that

reader, to determine live or

purchasing

comes an obligation

manner. Though the

see

for

whether what you are doing

up

to you, the

legal

where you

it is

is

are conducting the activity. Therefore, neither the

condone nor encourage the use of the information

in

any unlawful or wrongful manner.

G 9

n-

Introduction

Why

another book about finding missing persons?

own or have

probably

I

read practically every book

out there on the subject. Besides most of their

me

being good, a few of them also gave will usually give

you

of Motor Vehicle agencies, fine,

a long

(DMV)

and so on

of sources

—plus

a

few ways

same information seemed

actually find the person

have

tried to

to

ing to keep

because

I

to use

if I

it

it

list

some

a source

a little light

believe

make

you

for

Department

some government

some of them. This

looking the same.

be missing

found

I

of them:

in all

is

how to

you are hunting.

not only

show you how

to use

start

of

my favorite and

sources but also give ways to use them. story to

—addresses

records, addresses for

but after awhile, most of them

that the

I

list

an idea or two. These books

are

Many

times

was used while

I

most

will tell a short

at the

same time

and somewhat entertaining.

more

likely to

remember

practical

a source

try-

do

this

and

how

I

a strong impression. Just listing sources will not

do

that for you. I

have written

this

book with

the private citizen in mind, although

law enforcement agencies can and do use the same techniques. have not

listed

I

sources like National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

USA

Missing Persons

or

INTERPOL because

they just are not available to the average pri-

vate citizen. Think of this as a

companion

layman's guide to manhunting. Also,

to is

it

some

other books and a

meant

to help

you

start

thinking like an investigator.

REDEFINING MISSING PERSONS What

is

a "missing person"? Sometimes

most accurate term

are those like

Jimmy

To me,

conducting our investigation, missing.

below

Many

are

some

investigate.

work

•

times

it

of the

will

ways

You may add

the only persons

The

Hoffa.

think this

it

may

an individual, but

to describe such

the most widely used.

I

rest usually

who

it

probably

is

are really missing

know where

helps to understand

not be the

they are. In

why the

person

is

guide us in our search for them. Listed that

I

sort the types of missing

or delete categories as

it

persons

I

best suits your

or your needs.

Lost contacts.

The best examples of these

and parents or children who were involved

in

are heirs, lost loves,

an adoption. These

people are not running from anyone, nor are they deliberately trying to conceal their identity so as not to

know someone •

is

be found. They do not even

looking for them.

Runaways. Teenagers are the most

likely candidates for this

group, but sometimes adults are runaways, too. Runaways can be hard to

A

find,

teen with

depending on the resources they have available little

knowledge of the

real

easier to find than the streetwise teen his friends

to them.

world and limited funds

who knows how

to

is

manipulate

and others he meets. Knowing the amount of planning

done by the runner can

also help

you gauge how

e

difficult

your search

Introduction might be or

how

far

you should

set

your

sights

on

him or

finding

her.

Obviously, the more planning the runaway has done, the greater the

chances that he might have traveled some distance or be well hidden. planning might be an indication that the runner stayed close to

Little

home •

or within range of close friends.

Debtors.

The skip

for financial reasons probably accounts for

had

the largest group of missing persons this investigator has

with. Since debtors are probably the largest

group of missing per-

sons, they range from very easy to impossible to find. Again,

these people

may

know

not even

they are being hunted.

opposite end of the spectrum are those stantly

who

to deal

are

some

of

On the

on the move con-

because they are consciously trying to avoid being found for

financial reasons. •

Criminals.

Little

needs to be said about these, except that

I

have

had cases where some of them did not even know someone was looking for them. That usually happens after several years. They forget that they

were wanted or

and no one ever bothered

were out on

that they

to look for

them

bail.

before. This

They moved, usually not

is

the case, though. Most of the time, they are doing just about anything to

keep from being found. Note

rants against

stop

when

•

Some

them

most criminals

by sheer

do

A subpoena

just

has a strange effect on

some people.

about anything to avoid being served a subpoena,

problem. Finding a witness

is

sometimes a chore

delays in court actions or even in

it

—maybe even years

later.

O

with

in itself.

filing lawsuits,

away, not knowing that they might be needed long occurred

have war-

luck, usually during a traffic

while others recognize their obligation and accept

many

who

the officer runs a wants-and-warrants check.

Witnesses. will

are found

that

little

Due

or

no

to the

people move

after

an incident

Missing Persons

It

USA

should be noted here that even within these groups, there could

be subgroups. These subgroups can and probably ferent directions, a point

There was a purpose our subjects.

It

I

you

in dif-

will discuss later.

for the exercise of sorting

was designed

about the person for

will take

to

whom we

and categorizing

provide us with some information are looking,

finding someone.

O

and

that

is

the key to

Chapter One

3!

The

sor

young

investigator

and anxious

to

H

was eager

show

u

to impress his supervi-

off his abilities

when

given the

assignment of finding an important witness for an old automobile accident.

Finally, after several years, the case

was being

taken seriously by the opposing attorney. Apprentice PI Jim was told to find the witness

He

now

and get a statement.

ran out of the office with his notebook and a copy of the acci-

dent report and went to the old address he had been given.

He

can-

vassed the neighborhood for clues as to where the witness might be

now.

Later,

city hall.

he did

He had

some new

a search of public records in the

a source run a

courthouse and

DMV check, which finally provided

information. Again, he

made

a check with a

new neighbor-

hood, and a day and a half later he found the witness. Jim returned to his

boss and presented him with the report, beaming with pride

at his

accomplishment and thinking he was a regular Sherlock Holmes. The supervisor glanced over the report and

showed

signs of his satisfac-

tion with the content of the witness' statement. After

ing

it,

but

I

he looked up

need

at his

young protege and

to ask the witness about

one more

he finished read-

said, "It's a fine report,

thing.

Do you

have

his

telephone number?" The young apprentice immediately turned

e

€

USA

Missing Persons

around and grabbed the telephone book and "Yes, here

was

—555-12

it is

right there in the

..."

why do it the

is,

since the time of the accident didn't

harder than

really

it

it

to hit

him

—

it

along.

all

the obvious. Just because the witness

it

second replied,

took about a second for

It

telephone book

The obvious point here

in a

hard way? Don't overlook

was thought

mean he was

to

have moved

hiding. Don't

make

is.

BEFORE YOU RUN ALL OVER TOWN Most of the time you know or have a good idea of whom you are looking

for.

The exception would be adoption

most of the time you have can be

just the

The

at least

investigation starts

you

by

you

name

for.

started.

that,

But

this

important, but

is

You must be

mean just

This doesn't

information on your subject as possible.

the search for yourself, at a table

to get

identifying your subject.

are looking

person's name. Naturally, the

much

name

Other than

beginning of your investigation.

certain of the person

get as

a

cases.

you must If

you

one of the best things you can do

the

try to

are doing

is sit

down

and write down everything you know about the person you

are hunting, such as his or her date of birth, Social Security number,

past addresses, relatives, give

you

insight as to

work

situation,

and anything

who and what that person

else that will

is.

More than once, people have been found because they were

known by a is

first

the big guy

name and some

who used

enough information find. If

you know the

to

to tell Bill

sold insurance for a living,

other obscure

work over

you

if

he

is

at the

will

for

know he's

e

Knowing

that Bill

brickyard might be

the fellow

you were looking you

fact.

is

you are

trying to

small and has only

not the one. But

if

your

A SHORT STORY Bill is

ply,

a large, heavy

you may have

If

found the

just

right

everything he

thing, except

knows about

find out the details.

save you hours of

work

you must

the subject.

The few later. If

in construction

sup-

man.

you have been retained by someone

you do the same

and

guy and has usually worked

to find a missing person,

first

pick the client's brain for

You must

take the time to try

now will

extra minutes

you must, push the

issue,

probably

and keep

digging until you are completely satisfied you have every bit of infor-

mation the I

client has.

have done searches

hours

just trying to find

information that didn't think

was

my

for clients in the past

out about the subject.

client already

that important

knew

when we

where I

spent several

I

would

later

discover

but didn't remember or

first

would have saved us both time and money

spoke. In most cases, if

he had

just

given

it

me

that information initially.

Appendix

A

of this

sonal data form that

I

book

is

a detailed missing

sometimes use during an investigation.

always necessary, but for the novice or for more

good guide

to use.

carved in stone.

If

person report/per-

Remember,

this

form

is

difficult cases,

it.

not

it is

a

printed on paper, not

you think something should be added or taken

or the information could be rearranged to better

change

It's

fit

out,

your needs,

Chapter Two

ni?"

efore

I

was

licensed as a private investigator,

for a

man.

drifter

We

didn't believe

and did not keep

more than

bail for

Eventually,

I

who

taught

he was hiding, but rather

The case looked

DUI and was supposed

that

interesting.

to

he was a

one place

a regular address or stay in

several months.

had skipped

worked

me how to be a bounty On one of our cases, we were looking futilely

with someone hunter.

I

The

have only one

on

located his ex- wife and called her

subject leg.

the telephone.

She was gracious but said that she hadn't heard from the subject while,

which

really suited her.

and he would sometimes

small mountain

we

still

town where

we

how

she was doing.

took a day

his ex-wife lived,

was open, but she

and

still

I

trip

their

address on the package.

I

daughter a

had asked her

gift, if

was

O

a

up

to the

did not

but there

know

the

that several

was no

return

the package gave any indi-

cation of what area he might be living in or

from. She then said, "Well, there

we knew

spoke with her

whereabouts of her ex-husband. However, she did say

months ago he had sent

in a

a daughter, she said,

did not have him, but

in the state. Finally,

face to face. Again, she

see

call there to

Another month went by and

he was somewhere

They did have

for

where

it

might have come

postmark of the

city."

She

USA

Missing Persons remembered

the city, and with that and checking

we found him two

records,

days

Details are important, but

later.

you must learn

information from the clutter of useless there gift

was

was

a

was

tant unless there

would

identify

helped us

where

when

it

still

came

it

from.

on

bail

a drinker.

fact that the

would not be

that impor-

The

fact that the

asking questions, because

when asked whether when we

helped us identify him

had jumped

a dress

The

Still,

to us.

a receipt or something special about the gift that

people remembered Also,

books or

good

to separate the

Obviously, the fact that

details.

postmark on the package was gold

a set of children's

some public

a

DUI,

many

we knew

times

it

is

leg

was something most

they had seen him or not.

finally

found him. Since he

was

good chance he was

there

the

it

man had one

a

details that

little

make

or break

the case.

With computers, the old saying

with bad information going

of one of as

I

out.

One

If

you

in,

your

is

my

confirm

often, the Social Security

off that

The

it

looked

to

sets of

subject,

numbers you

you want

to

bogus

are looking for.

have been spelled wrong.

number and date

These numbers are

is

numbers or dates of birth were so

for life

will

make

sure

random.

use in your search for your are

who

you

O

at

far

of birth are probably the

—or they

While talking to a source or someone

on the

information on the subject

whom you

me

just as

do during the course

my client just picked numbers

Social Security

most important subject.

like

probably be

started with a piece of information that

More than once, the names given

is

subject. If you're dealing

like to

I

or only half right, you might never find

More

junk out." The same

results will

of the things

my investigations

go along.

in,

you gather on your

true with the information

bad on the way

"junk

is

supposed

to be.

might have information

are talking about the

same

Details

person.

When

checking sources or other people, get some identifying

information from them on the subject.

many people have

the

same name and

person you are searching as are the tags of junior

dren's names, right

and

person or

tell

You might be

for.

and

are about the

Middle names or senior.

surprised at how-

same age

initials

Maiden names,

are important,

parents' or chil-

certain physical features can also help

you

if

you are tracking the wrong one.

O

as the

you

find the

Chapter Three

# IN

Once

you have

much

as

information

w

%;;#

II.

on your

subject as

possible without actually going out, then the time has

come search.

Remember Jim,

for things ject,

to analyze

all

it

and decide where

even without leaving your home or

Think of your investigation not

tion will

all

over town? Look

office. Start

with the phone

directory assistance.

Here's a really big, obvious clue for

directly,

ran

your

about the person that will permit you to look for the sub-

book or use

but rather

how many

know where

contradictory at just

who

the apprentice PI

to start

first,

in

you "soon

it is

be

detectives."

terms of looking for the person

other people or sources of informa-

to find the subject.

but

to

may seem

It

strange or

easier to find a lot of people than

it is

one.

Now, back the person for

to

what we did

whom you

to start. Several years

about

I

management lenged

me

are looking will help

back

how good was to feature

at

in the beginning.

I

was

staff to think

you determine where

talking to a local television station

finding people

me on one

to find three people.

The type of case or

and

trying to convince the

They

chal-

They had asked members of

their

of people in their past

of their local programs.

whom they had

O

not seen or heard

Missing Persons

from

in a

long time. In each case, the circumstances and the length of

time since the subject had

The

who knew

as well as his major.

varied.

alumni

chum

of one of the

the approximate time the subject graduated

With

that,

took what

I

called the subject's college

I

When

ment.

been seen

last

case involved finding an old college

first

station's staff,

route.

USA

on

start living

I

thought was the obvious

and asked

their

for the

own and

alumni depart-

putting

down

they usually notify the alumni association of where they are this case, the

ents,

which

years.

often the case

this

point

was

it

and eventually, the subject

The second case was had been

in the eighth

name and

the

his

the state,

a bit

involved a boy

a case

hometown

killed in

an accident around the same time,

where

mother was

if

had

to

go

still

shed some

By chance,

assis-

A

light

on

search of the

the case. Almost

remains were flown to his

the church involved in the funeral

as mine.

I

asked a friend

in

our local con-

he knew of someone associated with our church

Georgia

who

person

to get

might be of help.

me

in

in the father's

in

to a different state, to the

lived in eighth grade.

finally

same denomination

gregation

I

DMV

The regular

thereafter.

after his father's death, the

in Georgia.

who

The problem was

lived in at the time.

that either the subject or his

newspaper archives

church

difficult. It

grade with one of the employees. She had his

was

show

Here was

the

more

and there was nothing available by way of directory

immediately

was

matter of contacting the parents,

called.

town where the subject had local

just a

mother had moved shortly

sources did not

tance.

the student graduated in the last few

if

town they had

that the boy's father

and

living. In

alumni association had an address for the subject's par-

is

From

roots,

He

just

happened

to

know

the right

touch with the people most involved

hometown. From

O

there,

I

in

in the

talked to people

who

Where To Start? put

me

call

from the

touch with some family members. After

in

The

final

who

subject's mother,

put

the private school the

I

had

to

fact that

what was

was

that the subject's last

better

office

had

I

a

number

grew up.

the subject

with that

last

What made

it

I

name.

found

It

in the

that there

was

I

all

over

that

my home

that

in the area

was

call

one of the numbers

called that

looking. She called the family's

me

back. After

was given

I

explained

vision program,

and

long-lost sweetheart.

where

to

send

listed

listed

was

that

his children to a

number and reached an for

office

whom

home number and had someone

whom was I

we

later,

I

was

looking for and why,

I

that there

featured

on the

local tele-

surprised the host with a telephone link to his

Up

to this time

we had

her. (Unfortunately for the host,

remember

I

the subject's telephone number. Eventually, the subject

contacted me. About two weeks

found

state,

calls to find the subject.

where the person who answered knew the family member I

common.

were only three people

—the type who could afford

private elementary school.

all

not

phone book

only took two more

a bit easier

of a professional

name was

of major cities across the country. All

do was check the name

to

easiest of

he'd attended a private school helped, but

have telephone books from

ones from

name and

subject's

two had attended. This was probably the

The

as well as

received a

touch with the subject.

in

go on was the

the three cases.

my

I

case involved finding the third employee's long-lost sweet-

heart from second grade. All

In

me

that,

was

a

boy

in

not told him that

we had

though, while she could

her class with his name, she didn't

remember him very well.) The common lesson were

all lost

in these three cases

is

contacts, the last point of contact

point. In a missing debtor case

that

even though they

guided us to a

you would probably need

to find out

the subject had any other bad debts and check those sources.

O

starting

A

if

case

Missing Persons

USA

involving a teenage runaway might require you to spend several

hours going through the young person's personal belongings to look

criminals,

ple

you may have

mind and possible

destination.

With

to learn the art of pretexts (convincing

peo-

for clues as to his or her state of

you are someone you are not so they believe they should give

you information) along with the use of

as

many

sources as possible.

Note that using pretexts may backfire and may be

illegal in

some

instances as well.

Another big clue ured

it

for

you would-be Sam Spades,

out for yourselves yet,

the subject directly; spouses, relatives,

you

find

live-ins),

is

that

if

you haven't

most of the time you don't find

someone who knows him

who

fig-

in turn point

O

you

to

your

or her (exsubject.

Chapter Four

:

i;

m

PHONE BOOKS

The

telephone book

information

at

our

old ones, too. In

fingertips;

my

books of my hometown over the than none.

From

there

probably the most overlooked source of

is

library,

years.

you can go

not

to a

I

just the current

have kept

all

ones, but the

the old

Sometimes an old address

phone

is

better

neighborhood check. Don't over-

look neighboring communities' phone books. Sometimes your subject will

end up

in a different directory just

U.S.

More than once

I've

a forwarding address. his

new

If

by moving two

miles.

POST OFFICE

paid a few dollars to the U.S. Post Office for

your subject moved and wanted

his mail at

address, he probably filled out a change-of-address card.

This ensures that the post office will forward any mail sent to the

former address for

many I

at least

1

year.

The time period during which

post offices will forward mail has expanded from

have come across some

that, for

change-of-address cards for 3 years.

some reason It's

O

rare,

but

it

1

to 2 years;

or another, kept

has happened.

USA

Missing Persons

You can obtain $3-

You

for

another post

at

address from the post office for

office. In the

end,

it is still

you

will lead

to

well worth the $3

each change. the post office

If

is

local,

information on the spot. I

new

probably find that one change of address

will

another

the subject's

would

usually go right there and try to get the

When was I

serving legal papers or subpoenas,

More than once, he or

the clerk take a glance at the paper.

let

she would

I

just

look up the information and give

The Federal Freedom of Information Act

it

to

gives

me

at

no charge.

you the

legal right

he has moved.

to request the forwarding address of a subject

if

not always necessary to quote the law on

as requests are

made

Appendix B

copy

so often for different reasons. of a letter

I

I

this,

have included

use that works very well for me.

in

a

It is

me

generally provides

It

with not only the change of address, but other information that helpful.

known of the

usually photocopy the letter and

I

address of the person for

letter is

While

When you way

With the

(Name

we

is

I

enclose

on is

file

On

the bottom

local post office to

fill

check made out

to

a

let's

not forget P.O. boxes.

request a change of address, a P.O. box

If

If

is

treated the

same

your subject has moved, you can request the

your subject has a P.O. box, there

with the street address

listed.

However,

will

in

be

a signa-

most cases the

not permitted to give you the information off the card.

So what do you do?

town

letter,

are talking about the post office,

forwarding address.

post office

looking.

last

of City)" and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

as a street address.

ture card

I

an area for the postmaster of the

in the blanks. "Postmaster,

whom am

name and

in the

fill

is

If

you have a

P.O.

box

for

an address, and the

not too large, just walk into the post office and ask where the

subject lives without referring to the P.O. box. There are

no

tions against people in the post office giving information

\

regula-

on what

MY FAVORITE AND MOST OBVIOUS SOURCES common knowledge

might be

name and

to them. Several times,

would go

had

is

a

ask

if

anyone knew where the subject

familiar to the

a P.O. box,

person

at the counter,

carriers or sorters in the

With

that,

the clerk

I

back

would

if

give

and

name was

not

lived. If the

the subject lived.

of streets and landmarks to

look for in getting to the subject's house. All lating

would ask some of the

knew where

me names

this

without anyone vio-

any laws against giving out P.O. box signature card information.

But there

law that permits the post

a

is

essary for legal action and the subject

action or

copy of

is

in

some way necessary used

a letter

Appendix

C.

Not

but every time

I

the legal papers,

for that

to say that

have gone I

have

left

you to

are looking for

any of

purpose appears

its

is

proceedings. Again, a

in the

back of this book

directly to the post office

and showed

you claim your subject

You should be prepared

common knowledge

ment or

at

to

is

that

if

the person

copy of a

letter

is

you

I

are look-

prove the person

box

listed

is

A copy

on

it

is

obli-

would not

operating a business

the post office.

a receipt with the P.O.

have on hand or

a clerk

with the street address off the signature card.

gated to give you the street address of the business.

not

in

this at times,

ing for operates a business using a P.O. box, the post office

is

nec-

if it is

a party to that

you won't have problems with

Another thing about P.O. boxes

gest that

box

office to give out P.O.

information. This law permits this information to be given out

true.

all I've

to the local post office

the clerk

they

when

sug-

if it is

not

in business

if it

of an advertise-

would be good

to enclose with a written request.

You

to

will find a

requesting this information in Appendix D.

DIVORCE RECORDS This can be one of the greatest sources of information to aid you

©

USA

Missing Persons

in

your search. One problem, though,

state.

But

if

all

divorce records

You have my sympathy

are considered public record. case in your

that not

is

if

they are open, as they are in most

can give you a wealth of information. Better

that

states,

most of the

yet,

is

the

they

time, the

older the record, the better. Before adultery was decriminalized in

most

states, there

had

divorce. That usually

be grounds or someone

to

meant there would be

back and forth and put into the records. or

what you

Once ject in

will find, but

it

is

an adoption case. Within

wanted

to

meet

who

mother, her.

My

you how much

tell

sure to be interesting tabloid reading.

a 45-year-old divorce record took

client's natural

mud-slinging

a lot of

cannot

I

at fault to get a

a

to the sister of

my sub-

my

few hours

I

was speaking

when

I

told her that her son

shed tears

client told

me

me

later that his

to

mother had since

passed away, but he was grateful for the time they did have together.

Most of the newer divorce records

will not

have

dance of information, but some key information can

a great

abun-

be found.

still

If

there are children involved, support and custody information will

help point you in the right direction. Most of the newer divorce records will give you the

name

of a spouse

who

might be willing to

you some information.

give

A while

back, another PI asked

Apparently the client had

wanted

left his

to get married again.

wife before he could do

that.

home

the quick I

state.

I

went

to

to find a

wife a

He needed

woman

for his client.

number of years back and

to get a divorce

from

My friend gave me the basic

about the subject, along with the her

me

fact that

she

first,

information

may have gone back

to

thought were

of

work checking what

and obvious sources

his first

but nothing

I

came

all

up.

then checked and found out that the state where she might have

gone had an

office at the capitol dealing strictly with

I I

all

divorces in

— My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources that state (not

all

mation).

I

First,

though there

is

states

have

is

5 years

I

two

it

available as public inforI

have found

will

sometimes do

a quick

just told

wanted searched, along with the other information

sent the request,

and

a

me

check

to

tell

send $5

to

subject's

even

that

some very

a charge to search for the information,

anything there. This time they

name and any I

make

contacted the office by phone.

person on the other end there

this or

for

and the

nice

me

if

each

client's

had.

I

few weeks

later

I

my reply

got

certified copies of the divorce decree. Since the client

in the mail

had abandoned

her more than 7 years ago, she had divorced him. This was a double

bonus

for the client,

because not only could he get married as soon as he

wanted, he didn't have to pay for a divorce. wife really wanted to marry a

(I just

wondered

man who had abandoned

his

if

first

the second wife.)

MARRIAGE RECORDS As with the divorce records, not records public information. But

they just

seem

to

ence has been

if

states consider

marriage

the records are public or "open,"

throw information

that,

all

at

you. However,

my

experi-

unlike divorce records, the older marriage

records were not always as complete as they are today.

The older

records listed age instead of date of birth. Addresses were often rural route

very

little

time, the

numbers instead of

streets

with numbers. Sometimes

background information was included

more

current the records are, the

mation about the subject and

his or her family

the infor-

background, includ-

and parents, past mar-

riages or divorces (ex-spouses), location of the

ceremony,

and what trades or professions the two were

O

Most of the

more complete

ing dates of birth, addresses of applicants

ciated,

at all.

who

in or

offi-

even

if

USA

Missing Persons

they were students

help you in one

Some

at the time.

way

or

of

all

this

or another to get to your subject.

ing for a female, this

is

one of the best places

her parents

A

it

may

may tell you when and

still

be

to

When

to start, since

did marry, chances are she changed her name.

married before,

information might

If

the female

whom. Don't

get

it

has the

by writing

keep close

I

is

Where

81009, and requesting

book through

was

Write for Vital

to

Human

DHHS publication number (PHS) 87-1142. You Consumer Information

to the

she

forget that

Records, put out by the U.S. Department of Health and It

if

living, too.

small booklet that

Services.

look-

its

Center, Pueblo,

can

CO

catalog of publications, then ordering the

the catalog.

VOTER REGISTRATION Even tion

on

tion.

It

the subject hasn't voted in a while, there

if

his signature card that will get

will

addresses,

list

and when he

registered. Again,

first

make

a

some old

source that sometimes makes

been cases where

all

I

with a good address for guilty

in the right direc-

about charging

did

you can

find the subject's

was check voter

my subject. When

addresses. it

too easy. There have

registration to

this

happens,

my minimum fee for finding the you

and you cannot help anyone

if

you go broke giving your

book and dedicated

Besides, like

you purchased

cate yourself

on these techniques,

this

are in business,

I

had

C w

to

pay

almost feel

you have

if

said almost.

I

come up

person.

Remember,

I

be informa-

sure you are looking for the right John

Doe), physical description, and even is

you snooping

still

the last time he voted, his address at the time, previous

date of birth, signature (to

This

may

bills,

too,

services away.

the time to edu-

a price for this knowl-

My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources edge. This knowledge permits best

way

possible.

pay

willing to

pay a as

lot

it

more

my work

do

My clients know that

they went to

is

but you should

to

there

a

is

minimum

someone

else

who

and are

fee

could not do

not to say that you cannot cut people a break

make

it

clear that this

softhearted and waive

my minimum.

as fast

it

at times,

an exception and not the rule

is

your business. Like most private investigators,

for

and

in the quickest

because, in the long run, they would probably have to

if

could. This

I

me

at

times even

get

I

At times you might feel that you

should give the information away because your client cannot really

and

afford your service I

will

it

really wasn't all that difficult.

charge something for

my

As a general

Anything given away

services.

ceived as having less value and will diminish your value since

from you. Secondly, your

clients will value

it

how

they paid for the information, no matter

more

if

they

rule,

is

it

per-

came

know

small the amount.

that

And

it

help them to maintain a sense of dignity and self-esteem.

will

ASSESSMENT A PI friend from the He

a little help.

somewhere

said he

in Los

was no telephone asked

my

friend

in LA.

He

said

it

other

if

end of the

knew

the subject he

Angeles but didn't

listing for

state called

me and

asked for

was looking

know how

for

to find him.

I

told

the subject

possible,

my friend

that property different).

I

if

not probable.

I

told

him

to call the

somewhere

it

LA out

there

would be

a tax record

property. With that record

would be

the location of

that

and the address where the

told

I

he thought the subject might have owned property

was

owned

There

him, and he needed to find him quickly.

County Tax Office of Land Assessment, or whatever they called there.

was

him

to get

all

tax

bill is

sent (they

of the information he could and

C )

if

may be call

me

USA

Missing Persons

back.

A few

days

he called

later

thank

to

information he needed and a satisfied

Sometimes the tax phone.

If

not,

our local

office, flip

Then

happens

be

if it

difficult,

I

to

open

be out

in the

can go to the deeds

showing exactly where

all

of the

you the information over the

to request

computer

a

because he had

client.

offices will give

you might have

me

it

by

mail.

printout,

country and

office

usually

go

into

and get what

I

need.

think finding

it

might

I

and get

I

a

photocopy of a map

it is.

WILLS

Early in heirs to

the

an

named

my

career as a private investigator,

Working with the

estate. heirs,

I

know

to

look to see

either of

will usually

who

the subject

is,

there

If

was

who may know where

be an executor,

may

and other

subject's parents,

them has passed away.

Better yet, your subject

know where

names of your

the

be the executor.

there might be

does. In this particular case,

I

them were deceased, though, so then

had

If

all

wills. If

you can

a will, there

the subject

is.

the executor doesn't

someone

found I

to find the

and what was known about

started to look at death records

you happen if

will

was asked

I

listed

on

of the heirs.

the will

Some

of

to locate their heirs, too.

MILITARY DISCHARGE

There are two possible ways

who was

in the military at

one

to get information

about someone

time. All of the branches of the military

have archival records of where and when someone was dispatched.

Along with

this

show whether

they provide a military locator service. They will also or not the person currently has a pension or

C 9

some

My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources other benefit. In Appendix E you will find a

There

military branch.

is

list

of addresses for each

a charge for nonmilitary personnel, so

it is

best to call ahead to find out the current fees.

Somewhat military

is

lesser

that

known

people

who

to those investigators

my county,

logic of

—be

I

government. In your

you go

different. If

county where they will be

they would register with the Recorder of Deeds.

has to do with deeds,

this

never in the

are discharged from the military are required

to register with the local courthouse in the ing. In

who were

have no state

idea.

But that

and county

it

just

not get any. But sometimes

—and

I

What

shows you the

—and probably

may

to this office for information,

liv-

you

will

probably

will

—there

must emphasize sometimes

is

information available from these records. Before computers and microfilm,

of

was kept on

everything

room

for

all

of

How long records office to office.

I

its

paper. After awhile an office

records and transfer

are kept in the office

have found, though,

some

of

and then

that

if

them

just

you something

checking to see

to

if

to

its

archives.

transferred varies

from

a courthouse has an archive,

the records transferred there are usually considered

Sometimes,

would run out

the person

was

open

to the public.

in the military gives

go on.

CROSS-REFERENCE DIRECTORIES

I

really like these books. Across the country there are several

com-

panies that publish cross-reference or street directories (sometimes called reverse street directories). First, they streets, alphabetically;

and

city;

next the

along with the resident's name, a

telephone number and the length of time

These

the

then the house numbers in their proper order;

finally the residents. Usually,

given.

list

directories are printed

by

C w

at

the residence are also

private companies,

which buy

USA

Missing Persons

the

from the telephone companies and then publish them

lists

in

reversed order.

Some

directories will

same

the

spouse

the

names of the people

as a regular telephone book, followed

there

if

is

person owns or cities will

become

list

in the city,

much

by the name of

a

one; the place and type of employment, whether the

and sometimes, the person's children. Some

rents,

have several of these

familiar with

all

of

provide. These companies

directories,

and

it

a

is

good

idea to

them and the kind of information they with the telephone

start

but also send

list

out questionnaires and sometimes even canvass door to door in order to

update

their information.

Where

I

am

located, there

a regular reverse street directory

is

a reverse telephone directory in

one book

telephone directory

two volumes. One

is

outlying communities.

my

Between the

and

The second type comes

in the back.

for the city in

We

for the entire county.

also have a directory with a listing by names, then the streets, finally, a

and

area,

and the other

three books,

in

is

for the

you can get

a lot of

information. As with telephone books, old copies are helpful, too. past neighbor can be a big help, even I

in

had

a case recently

another

city

to find

was not

listed.

At

someone

He had checked

but could not find an address for her.

my

local library,

a 3-year-old directory of the subject's city that listed her.

turned out that she had divorced but telephone was got what I

has been 10 years.

where an attorney needed

directory assistance, but she

found

if it

I

now

needed,

listed in

just

I

looked

have several past copies of these

buy one new each year just call

my

local library

still

in a

I

visited the subject

my

area.

I

and

cannot afford to

What

I

usually

and ask the reference department

C m

It

book.

directories, but

for every city in

I

The

lived at that address.

her son's name.

because

A

do

to look

is

up

My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources something for me.

a

If it is

tough case,

just

I

stop in and look

it

up

myself to make sure there are no mistakes. Also, by going into the library

you can check and see

line or two.

from

different cities

er city it,

I

am fortunate

I

and our

if

what you

my library has

in that

around the

local library

are looking for

state. If

I

This

is

has

and

it

who

number of directories

a

is

not,

If

time,

I

then

try the local

a directory

if

was pub-

glad to assist you.

number

of other search services, are available

have computers with modems.

which permits me

local credit bureau, vices.

a

probably a good place to mention that cross-reference direc-

tory services, along with a to those

by

does not have a cross-reference directory for

chamber of commerce, and most of the it

off just

need information about anoth-

find that city's library can usually help me.

lished in that area,

is

to

There are several other companies

I

use one service through a

have access to some of its

ser-

that offer similar services

and

can do some of these checks for you, either over the telephone or by

modem.

Prices

do vary per type of search,

for the services. If you are tions,

it

may be

to

going to do a

your benefit

does the cost to sign up

of missing persons investiga-

up with one of these companies.

to sign

Complete books have been written on

lot

as

how to do

investigations

by com-

puter or through the use of data banks. I

feel

it's

cure-all for

important to mention, though, that these services are not a

your investigations. In one case

have found the person

I

was looking

I

had,

for

still

when someone

have

puts

thing to cause the returned. Even doesn't

mean

if

it

to

pay

for

it.

probably could not

without data banks.

Sometimes, though, the information they provide but you will

I

will

be nothing new,

The information

is

updated only

into the system. If the subject hasn't

file to

done any-

be updated, only the old information

is

somewhere,

it

away.

It

the subject

is

getting established

that information will

be put into the system

©

right

USA

Missing Persons may

take

If

weeks or even months

you have

computer and use

a

like

will

modem, some systems

and the system routes

it

to the appropriate vendor,

then look up what you want and send

of the system.

Still

others offer even

their systems.

But

I

must

more

you should

stress that

way can you use

it

for

ways

for

find out

you

to use

what kind of

completely. Only this

on record search-

where you want the search done

go and do the search and then transmit the information

to you. This process

may

take anywhere from a few hours to

more than 24 hours. The time of day and also play an important part in

run into problems

and the

to

data banks that provide nationwide services

actually

back

it

you by way

back

worth.

all it's

es usually have stringers in the area

who

it

creative

system you are working with and understand

The

put you

an electronic mailbox system. You send your request

for information,

who

a

system to be updated.

with a mainframe computer. Other companies' sys-

in direct contact

tems work

for the

is

stringers only

how

long

when you need

it

all

the day of the will take.

week may

Where you may

of the information in a

send you what they think

is

important.

file

Some

of

the services offer information most people could not get any other

way, and

if

A word

that

is

the case, use them.

of caution.

Some companies

will say that they

can get any-

thing or any kind of record. Ask yourself, "Does the end justify the

means?"

If

it

is

important to you to stay honest,

I

would suggest look-

ing for another source. I

can subscribe

may seem

like a

me

there

only

if

to

good is

my

county courthouse computer service. This

idea, except that for

a record

most of the information, but the physical

file.

some searches

it

and no more. Some computer

still

will tell files list

not everything that might be found in

Only about once

a year

O

would

it

really

be nice for

My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources me

to

have

just the limited

enough and can wait getting everything

I

to get

information at

my

fingertips.

the next day. This

it

can possibly

way

I

also

I

am

close

know I am

get.

CRIMINAL RECORDS Not everyone has a criminal record, but you would be surprised find out

how many

locally. In

people have been arrested and are

now on

to

file

doing a search of criminal records, don't overlook the mag-

istrate's office.

Here you

will find all of the lesser crimes,

whereas the

county courts only keep records of the more severe offenses. Previous arrest records can give you date of birth, Social Security

number, description, address

at

the time of the offense, vehicles

owned, and more, depending on the type of crime committed. While ous.

we

are talking about the criminal, don't overlook the obvi-

More than once, when

I

was looking

for

someone and

history started taking shape, the subject turned

you get the feeling the person jail

—check those

forget state

will usually give

county

jail. If

don't just check your local

jail,

a country!

either.

numbers

where. With that record, you

local teleIf

you're a

quickly.

RECORDS

Everybody sues everybody

means there

Your

you the numbers you need.

CIVIL

another. That

in the

surrounding counties or municipalities, too. Don't

investigator, you'll find the

What

in

and federal correctional systems,

phone book good

in

is

up

a criminal

will

be

ed whom, and fleeced whom. You

out

will

II

one time or

record of the action some-

a

will find

at

who

hates

be surprised

whom,

cheat-

to find out just

USA

Missing Persons who

has been sued in your community, why, and

When

I

first

courthouse,

back

just a

will

I

is

do

pay

a

you can put someone

new

friend might

and

civil

is

in

in

long,

Checking

and sometimes

Maybe

know when

willing to help your subject. is

and others

have information If

it.

that

filings

Most of the time when creditors

looking for one of their debtors, they will be willing

to give information to find out

about

this

records also include recorded secured transactions

extend credit to individuals or companies and require these

hear someone

that

as a source or for a favor.

financial statements. Banks, financial institutions,

may be

I

to find the subject too; at the very

your debt. You never

handy

else.

looking for the subject.

few bucks

least

come

else

times.

be downtown near the

before anything

a civil search

someone

willing to

For me,

to

few years usually doesn't take too

will find out that

person

and happen

get a local case

how many

if

their investment

might be helpful to them, they

that

you do give information back, be

slander yourself.

is still

You may want

will

safe. If

want

you

to hear

careful not to libel or

to offer in return a suggestion of

where they might uncover damaging information on the as other creditors looking for the subject, closed

subject,

such

back accounts, or

other public records.

What you may

may have the one may

also find

affect the

him

If

way you

he owns,

necessary. But

question

for the

a pretext or

who

will gladly give

person.

this

any and

all

I

in

If

you are looking

your request for

infor-

person because you want to sue

some

you do not always have

information from such people.

who

Why you are looking for some-

you can be honest

you are looking

for all

another business partner/debtor

information you need.

for a long-lost friend,

mation.

is

verbal deception

may be

to resort to subterfuge to get

know

of several business people

information about their partners or

* 1

My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources ex-partners, as the case to

you

that

When

I

you don't talk

may

like,

be. If

your subject has done something

probable he did the same to others.

it's

about the courthouse,

I

am

usually referring to the

county courthouse, but remember, there are similar records in the

and

state

cy courts,

When was

in

federal courts. I

I

With the exception of the federal bankrupt-

usually don't find

necessary to check these sources.

it

started out, like a lot of people,

our local courthouse.

used

I

not employed by the county and

and out of the offices

when

it

people

to see a lot of

who were

that

who were

not attorneys going in

One day I walked

offices there.

into

one of these

wasn't too busy and asked the clerks just what kind of

records they kept there and what

was

them. That day

I

explain what

of the books and

all

thinking to myself,

all

of these people were doing with

lucky; the person

"How would

tigator, especially in

went

was not aware of all

I

files

this

I

spoke

to took the time to

were about. Meanwhile,

help

me

in

my work

searching for missing persons?"

to the next public office

county courthouse for

all

it

and did the same has to

offer.

thing.

as

You should

was

an inves-

From

Now

I

I

there

I

use the

too, as

you

should any government agency that deals with public records.

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES The motor vehicle department most used resource

is

probably the best-known and the

for trying to locate

someone. Most

states

have a

procedure whereby you can get not only vehicle information, but operator information and history. Your local or state police can probably

tell

you what the procedure

is;

they

may even have

form for requesting the information. In some

states

the necessary

you can get both

operator and vehicle information by writing to the same address,

O

USA

Missing Persons

while other states will require you to write to different addresses. Be forewarned, though, that

when you

go on record

done

come aware

for having

of

it

some

at

so,

request this information, you will

which means the subject may be-

later date.

may

Requesting information from a government agency

you an

subject

to certain laws of the land. Requesting certain information

alias, for

may be

example,

illegal. It is

under

important to note here that

if

you use a fake name when requesting information from some govern-

ment agencies, you and place

will

be signing legal documents. There

and

for pretexts

white

little

lies,

but

this is

is

a time

not one of them.

Most people would think checking whether the subject has an oper-

would be

ator's license in the state

they want. The problem with this license

might be almost 4 years vehicle registration.

that in

most

If

the information

states the operator's

company on

can usually get

this

who

file

somewhere.

Most have

know where

the subject's

is

if

DMV will

have an

take a bit longer, but true

if

there

is

an encum-

be a bank or someone

the subject

the vehicle

is

is

or give

Some

else

you more

leased, the leasing

two

I

know are

at the police

honest and are

department

known

who

as such.

are willing to

run checks on vehicles or names. The PI knows better than to abuse favor.

you

helpful information.

investigators

a friend or

may

this case, there will

might

company may have some

It

The same

information about him. Likewise,

Most private

is

address will be more current.

this information.

title

available,

proof of insurance, and the

brance on the vehicle. In

on the

if

file

he owns a vehicle, he must renew the registration

states require

insurance

A better record,

old.

every year, so chances are

listed

is

them

only renewed every 4 years, which means the address on

is

Most

sufficient to get

Pis will never use the local police,

offered to provide the assistance.

They

C m

feel

it

this

even though they have

might compromise their

MY FAVORITE AND MOST OBVIOUS SOURCES case or obligate them to the police.

who

police officer

willing to assist

is

but be sure not to abuse

you get

it.

Also, don't

don't

need

you have an association with

you

this privilege or

in

your search,

by name.

It

will get

that kind of trouble,

all

a

the better,

misuse the information once

go bragging about the police

ing you, especially not

You

If

back

officer

him or

to

who

is

help-

his superiors.

nor does he.

LOCAL CONSTABLE AND SHERIFF'S OFFICES There are times when

someone

in

some

I

I

have been very close to finding

other community but just could not pin him down.

The person you are looking one

felt

for

may have been

A check with

else's civil complaint.

have one) or sheriffs department may

Here

who

court system as the ones

Who

plaints.

better to

know

the local constable

just tell

in Pennsylvania, the constables

the subject of some-

and

you where he or she

sheriffs

work within

serve warrants, subpoenas, and

those

who

you

(if

are in trouble the

is.

the

com-

most or

have the most reasons to be hunted? Their contacts within the community can myself,

I

at

times

make

know whereof I

Since this stable, as

is

work involved serving They were not

speak.

my book,

with any job,

or break a case. Being a former constable

I

I

can brag a

tried to

little,

too.

do the best

I

When was I

a con-

could. Most of

my

criminal warrants for the district justices.

for America's

most wanted, but they were

still

out-

standing warrants that needed to be served. After several months, the

number

steadily.

selves

may

of

new

warrants from

The word on

in. It

the street

was

district justices

that

seemed my reputation was

not have been by name, but the

people were turning themstarting to

word on

C )

was declining

precede me.

the street. There

It

was

Missing Persons

and brought

who hunted

out there

finally a constable

USA

people, served warrants,

in criminals.

LOCAL POLICE Like the constable and the sheriffs offices, the police usually have a

good

who

idea

community or

is

or

city,

not in their community.

is

the less true this

is.

Of course,

I

have found, though,

am looking for someone,

I

one way

that

to find out,

and

that usually

get a is

when

I

to cooperate with

tell

them

Obviously, this is

if

officer

you

not good

is

to ask.

The

risk

you

friends with the subject

you know, since

it

is

are taking here

and

—

is

I

only

—

as

the outside

will tip

are trying to find the subject without his

(just to let

the reason

amount of information. There

fair

with anytime you deal directly with people as sources

chance that the

—as with

Again, be forewarned

any law enforcement agency, the police do not have civilians.

the larger the

him

off.

knowing

it,

has happened to me).

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSYBODY This

is

you should love

the person

to

meet when you're

right out

there hitting the streets, canvassing door to door. This person

always where the gossip is

with

other

At

whom, doing

little

thing

first

soon learn

is,

what,

you want

each one you

ask.

They

how

to

the busybodies to spot them.

taking

them

talk.

know

will

He

or she will

tell

you who

about the community.

may be hard

They

You

all in.

big or small, when, why, and every

to recognize, but

you

will

usually start asking questions back with

be the

nosy, but they are dying to hear started, let

it

is

will,

first

all

to say they don't

the details.

want

Once you

however, have to

get

to

be

them

try to control the

direction of the conversation, so as not to get too far off track from the

C m

My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources information you are seeking. Chances are,

going on

in that

community, they

if

anybody knows what's

Sometimes you

will.

will

have to

hold out a carrot or make up something that will get them to reveal

more because they want more from you. for information with the town's

Because these people love gossip

—

It

may seem

busybody, but to hear

it,

funny, bartering

works. Why?

it

then to

tell

it.

PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

If

you happen

information.

If

to

be

you go

a PI,

to a PI,

has,

not much, he it

will

be

in the

something for

whether monetarily or

may overlook back of

number one. Think

officers or firemen

paid? Most

would

of

is

it

want

in kind. If

this

to

pay something

what you ask

for

for

Someday, he may ask you

not to say

would do

still

willing to

is

debt for now, but rest assured that

this

his mind.

in return. This

is

he (or she) may already know some-

You must be

thing that will help you.

what he

you know your bread and butter

all

for

Pis are only looking out

—how many full-time police

way

their jobs

if

they were not getting

do the work but couldn't because

they have financial responsibilities like everyone

else.

The same

is

true for the PI.

EMPLOYERS, PAST AND PRESENT Depending on why you find the current employer,

are trying to sneak

are looking for

someone,

your search could end

up on someone, you may have

if

you know or

right there. If

to

you

use pretexts to

get the information out of the employer. Here again, entire books

have been written on pretexts and

how

C w

to use them.

Sometimes,

USA

Missing Persons

though, the direct approach works

have

to decide

when

just as well. It's

may

was looking

is

who

was

there.

his past

was

I

sonnel department

me

things

where the did

I

subject

a

at this

his past

I

to ask.

is

I

of years back and had

called

left

that

again,

and asked

several

if

the person

months ago. The per-

helpful, not only con-

already had on the subject but proceeding to

I

After that,

I

asked

if

they had a record of

relocated. At that time they did not, but they

employment. With

which turned out

and

to find out,

company was very

know.

had

you information; then

number

he had

me. that they had received a

tell

ny,

jumper

told that

didn't

way

employer was.

firming the information tell

only one

for a bail

learned still

There

not.

will

the situation arises.

Past employers will sometimes give

they

something you

to

that,

be

call

from a company checking on

they gave

his current

me

the

name

employer.

We

of the

compa-

picked him up

several days later at work. If

you are lucky enough

to get

talk to you, the information

could take you to the subject's front they give you references or

tell

you

they were instructed to notify in case of emergency,

this

can

door, or pretty darn close.

who

employers, past or present, to

If

put you in touch with friends and family. You

may be

able to get a

past address and previous employment. Former employers will

probably have a record of the subject's education, which could lead

you

to

an alumni association or a hometown. You can expect

a Social Security license

number

bonded, or

renewed There

that

number

for

your

to get

and, depending on the job, a driver's

subject.

You may

he had a special training

find out the subject

was

certification that

must be

among

the most

how much you

divulged

periodically. is

no doubt

that

former employers can be

valuable sources of information. Think of

C w

MY FAVORITE AND MOST OBVIOUS SOURCES to

your employer

when you

you revealed about

yourself,

applied for your job. Think of what

above and beyond what you put on

your application or resume. Chances are that the

your employer has on you

file

you would be very surprised

Who

you.

(if

to learn

you

if

you were

to

look in

are not self-employed),

how much he knows

knows, maybe he even hired someone

like

me

about

to

do an

may

not be

employment check on you.

TELEPHONE RECORDS Depending on your available to you.

to

be

you

else,

telephone records

a must. If the

is

legal

way

other Pis,

of

I

to get a

how

they do

this,

copy of someone

I

I

his

knew

work

would

you these a fellow

tell

someone

good working

all

phone

citizens

records. Like

the time about I

have

how

a

have a good idea

you how

to trick the

phone company

records.

who

used

in repossessing cars,

call

to

will not discuss that here. Again, there are

other books written that will into giving

else's

get telephone records for me.

but

a

company. Most private

get advertisements in the mail

company can

certain

phone records belong

law enforcement and your department has

in

or

most of the time you're out of luck, unless you happen

relationship with the telephone

no

may

are looking for a teenage runaway, checking

phone records

the family

someone

If

client,

to get

and

it

telephone records

worked very well

in the subject's family

all

the time for

for him. First,

with a story that would cause

the relative to call the subject right after they

were finished

would then

what number the

get the telephone records to see

called just after hanging up.

Sometimes

it

other fringe sources, you must ask yourself

©

he

talking.

He

relative

worked, but as when using if

you

are willing to

pay the

USA

Missing Persons

what you want. These sources are not only expensive and

price for

questionable, but the

civil liability

can be immeasurable.

DATA BANKS AND CREDIT BUREAUS

I

mentioned data banks

vices, but data

have

banks and

credit

number

a Social Security

can bring up his or her

last

bureaus do more than

member

your source

known

address on the system for you. Rather

may be

any and

all

you

If

member,

you are using the

middle

man

abuses on your

part. If

indirectly,

will

If

you choose

to

you must follow

you deal with

the

help to keep you honest.

service of a private

for the credit

agencies, be careful.

it

is

as needed, but this does put

the rules set forth by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. directly as a

someone who

able to get

use the services of a credit bureau, directly or

bureau

you

your subject, some auxiliary services

to obtain reports for

at risk for

just that. If

for

than joining a credit bureau, you already a

with regard to cross-referencing ser-

earlier

company

that acts as a

bureaus or one of the major credit reporting

Some

—and

I

emphasize only some

—will hint

that they

can get or do almost anything. These same companies

then

you not

worry about the

will

legality of

it,

because people

hardly ever get caught misusing the system, and

if

they do, nothing

tell

to

happens anyway. Don't you believe

was fined heavily

the papers, stating that is

for

Recently, a detective agency

for abusing the system. In

offense could cost you your license.

they want

it!

you

to

you

They

will

some still

states,

make you

sign

all

will follow all of the rules. In the end, all

keep sending them money, no matter

use the system. There are not

warned, there are some out

such an

many companies

there.

C W

like this,

how you

but be fore-

My Favorite and Most Obvious Sources LIBRARIES

Probably the most overlooked source of information

Whether library

one of your most powerful sources of information.

Since what

our

who

you

have probably not been

are looking for

is

I

and

I

is

no

I

know

of

high school.

in a library since

information, there

We have an excellent local library,

state library.

just a

the library.

public, private, or in a high school or college, consider the

investigators

look.

is

better place to

am only an hour away from

use them both frequently. The following

few examples of the kinds of books you can expect

list

contains

to find in the

reference section of your local public library:

•

Cross-reference directories

•

Who's

•

Directories of clubs

•

Atlases

Who listings

county, state, and federal government directories

• Local,

• Directories •

of data banks

Directories of major businesses

Again, this will

list is

beginning.

just the

If

you go

probably find a few more sources that

you look hard and

start

Just as

Many

an

aside, in

how

phone

mentioned,

The joke

in

library

books and

interest. If

I

have hundreds of books.

different kinds of directories.

this includes a large collection

directories for cities in

the country.

spark your

you

to find missing persons.

my personal

are just plain reference

I've already

will

into the library,

going through the regular stacks, you might

even find another book on

As

and associations

my state and

our family

is

that

C )

if

other major

of tele-

cities

across

you need information on

USA

Missing Persons

something, go see Uncle Roger, because he probably has the book on

what you need. can do for you. logs from a

On I

the serious side,

services.

number

used.

I

book

get

of different companies. In Appendix F that deal with

Be forewarned

not for everyone, but That's

new and

frequent bookstores,

ed several companies ed

do value books and what they

I

that

am

I

I

have

books on investigation and

some

list-

relat-

of them advertise books that are

sure you will find something you

what freedom of the press

cata-

is all

like.

about.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION and foremost, the

First

not

tell

you where the

Social Security Administration (SSA) will

subject

is. It

does have a

have a legitimate and honorable reason

heart, though. If

for hunting

someone, such

finding parents, children, or other close relatives,

What you need SSA with

as

to

much

do

is

known

it

as

will help you.

write a letter to the subject and send

it

to the

information as possible identifying your subject

(obviously, a Social Security this case).

you

The SSA

number would be forward the

will then

address, and then

it

will

be up

a great thing to

have

in

letter to the subject's last

to the subject to get

back

to

you. To find out more about this service, contact your local Social Security Administration office or write istration,

Social Security

Public Inquiries, Dept. of Health and

Security Blvd., Baltimore, I

to:

MD

once had an attorney

find the long-lost father of

the person he

call

tell

me

was looking

he had planned

one of his

the client.

Services, 6401

21235, or call (301) 594-5970.

of this service and wanted to try did eventually

Human

Admin-

I

clients,

it first. It

didn't

to call

me

to help

but he said he had heard

took awhile, but the father

make any money, but he found

for.

C W

Chapter Five

":':

The

do

"

-.

m *

purpose of your investigation

by having the

that

is

TO

'

to find

right information.

someone. You

To

get the infor-

when

mation from people, you must ask questions, and

you are

tired of that, ask

different

they do track.

way, you

may

start talking, let

When

more. By asking the questions

in a slightly

spark something they had forgotten.

them

talk unless they start getting

they stop talking, wait

just a

When

too far off

few seconds before you ask

your next question. Many people are uncomfortable with silence the middle of a conversation. Because of that, the person start talking

again and giving you more details

—

details that

important clues to the answer to the question you

How many times

is

just

in

likely to

might be

asked.

have you finished talking to people and then

remembered something you wanted

to tell

them

after they

were

gone? The same thing can happen with the people you interview. Leave a business card or your telephone number with them so that they can get back to you not be too often,

it

if

they think of something new. While

does happen.

found the person I'm looking

when

it

did help

me

I

for,

find that

it

often

happens

it

may

after I've

but there have been a few times

locate subjects, too.

How's your memory?

If

you don't have

O

a

good memory, write

USA

Missing Persons

things

have

down

to,

you

as

talk to

but get the details.

you

cannot

I

make

important details can important details?

someone. Carry

a tape recorder

you

enough. The small,

stress that

or break a case.

if

What

are the small,

hard to give specific examples, but given time,

It's

what

will start to learn

What you have

to pick out.

to

do

to

is

go

out there and get your feet wet.

be

My memory

isn't

a doctor. No,

I

too bad, but

my handwriting My

should be a brain surgeon.

second

my

cannot spell worth a darn. Can you imagine what

Okay, maybe they do look

most of the along.

Be

time.

himself.

The point here

what your

careful of

handwriting

may be

He may be

just as

good

speller

and

name, you probably

mind

as

bad

is,

fixing

client tells

as mine,

when you

he's not. If

aren't

keep

you might

fault

should

his notes. His

can't read

too.

Maybe you

you keep working with the wrong far. If

you keep an open

for slightly different

Be on the lookout not

just for

clients as well.

drive

you

numbers or

crazy.

as

Social Security

When your sources

you go

poor spelling

become

is

all.

start telling

One quick

a roll of quarters.

along.

numbers

doesn't exist in conjunction with a number, you

or she really exists at

a

bad

Watch the numbers you write down,

and recheck them with other sources er's license

it

Look

unintentionally.

are doing your work.

just hit the target.

mixed up

I

your notes as you go

Not only can you misspell something, but numbers have habit of getting

that

is

can read them

and maybe he

going to get too

your mistakes but those of your

I

I

notes look like?

you from

you go along and watch the name

spellings,

but

bad information

giving you

for variations in spelling

are a

like hieroglyphics,

so bad

is

start

that

your subject

wondering

if

he

cure for bad handwriting and

With

a

pocket of quarters,

the greatest speller since Webster (and

C m

driv-

do nothing but

will

you

Mixed-up

I

don't get as

I

can

many

Things To Think About parking

house copy machine,

down typed

a

By placing

tickets, either). I

wrong number

wrong on

it

the

ensure that again. file

down, would you want machine

is

Since

If it's

a quarter in the slot of the courtI

wrong,

or record.

to practice

name

never misspell a it's

or write

because someone else

Why, with so much

your penmanship

when

to write

the

copy

over there in the corner?

we

are

on the

subject of

files,

some

of

words

to

these things contain

the most boring reading ever. Lawyers just love to add

everything and anything they can get their hands on. But rest assured, in the files that are the thickest,

monds.

It

may

chances are you

take awhile, but

found a number of gems

in the

it is

some

well worth the search.

garbage

% m

will find

I've

gone through.

I

dia-

have

Chapter Six

mii

.I;;

doesn't matter

It

how

long you've been in the business of

hunting people, eventually you will be stopped dead. You

have checked and rechecked

will

you

will

be no closer

lier. First,

ther

you must

still

missing persons, just

realize that there are

you were weeks

Even

probably could not be found.

it's

if

you had

When

money If

you want to

go

that

to far.

else. If

someone

else

When

hunting a relative or a

spend whatever So

if

you need

you cannot do

who

unlimit-

looking for

it

lost love,

may

it

takes but just don't have the

to continue,

that,

It

someone who

what do you do?

the case must be worked, swallow your pride

someone

ear-

important to keep cost-effectiveness in mind.

doesn't pay to spend thousands of dollars to find

that

still

going to be some people nei-

investigator can find.

skipped on a $600 loan.

be

of your sources, and

to finding the subject than

you nor any other

ed funds, they

all

and give

it

to

read off what you have with

might think of something you

didn't. In the past,

our local group of investigators has brainstormed on cases that had

one of us stumped. Though we represent a great

we

have

working relationship. Maybe you have someone you can

brainstorm with.

The

different agencies,

first

If

not,

thing you

what

else

do

absolutely nothing. Get

is

can you do?

f 1

away from

the

USA

Missing Persons

case and take a rest from

it.

Many

happening several days or weeks

times an amazing thing will

later.

Out of nowhere, you

hit

with an idea about what to do next. This will be a

for

some

when you

of you, but

bit off

start

will

the wall

put the case out of your conscious

mind, the subconscious mind takes over. Your subconscious mind

do

loves to

kind of thing, as

this

your conscious mind

—and

really creative part of

you it!"

least

expect

(At least If this

have

it

to get

work

to

do

thinking about

is

that

weird

imaginative than like

It's

your dreams.

you dream?

stuff

Let the

your brain take over for awhile. Then,

you or

for

jump out

when

you and scream,

"I

got

work soon enough, you

still

at

doesn't

it

the case for awhile. Then, after several weeks,

be away from opening

again. But instead of

best thing to

much more

is

just

for me.)

away from

you can afford

all

a solution will

it,

works

doesn't

it

less inhibited, too.

Could you possibly think up

be

for that long, pick

it

and picking up where you

it

good heave

to give the file a

now

up your case

that this PI

is

really losing

in the

air.

Not

it.

left off,

if

file

the

You may be

so.

What

is

the

next thing you have to do? You have to pick up the whole mess.

This

back

is

in the

where

this

you

file,

At the same time,

technique works. As you

start

start

rewriting

nice will start to happen.

Think of

it

this

looking

New

at

start

what you have

some

putting things

in a different

way.

of your notes. Soon something

ideas will start

coming

into

your head.

way. Imagine that you are putting together a puzzle

with some pieces that are shaped the same. The picture you are getting isn't

becoming

clear,

and you have used up

What happens when you mix them time, looking at

for

it

a different way,

all

I

for

start

you might get

me once when was stumped on

working on

up and

it

of your pieces.

over again? This

right.

This

worked

an adoption case that

more than three months. When

C w

all

I

I

was

was putting the

When You Are Stumped pieces back together an idea slightly different

ural father,

who

hit

me, and

way. Within minutes, in turn

gave

me

I

I

was

checked out

©

name

in a

talking to the client's nat-

the mother's

telephone number.

a

full

name, address, and

Chapter Seven

'•'••'•>$'

.::::5;

gSJKij.,

Si

•;:;:;

:

¥:

,. : :j:?:?:;:

^\

Appendix F ™»:«: , :

S*

¥S '':'

:

:fe# i '

,.|

I l

Butterworth Publishers

80 Montvale Avenue

Stoneham,

MA 02180

Delta Press Ltd.

215 South Washington Street P.O. El

Box 1625

Dorado,

Eden P.O.

AR 71731

Press, Inc.

Box 8410

Fountain Valley,

CA 92728

Loompanic Unlimited Publishers P.O.

Box 1197

Port Townsend,

NIC, Inc.

Law Enforcement Supply

220 Carroll P.O.

WA 98368

Street, Suite

D

Box 5950

Shreveport,

LA 71135-5950

Nightingale-Conant Corporation

7100 North Lehigh Avenue Niles, IL

60714

©

;i

Q

IQI

I II.

*|:

:

Ipli

|;-;;;

Missing Persons

Paladin Press P.O.

Box 1307

Boulder,

Survival

CO

80306

Books

11106 Magnolia Blvd.

North Hollywood,

Thomas P.O.

CA

91601-3810

Publications

Box 33244

Austin,

TX 78764

©

USA

Appendix G

Akin, Richard H. The Private Investigator's Basic Manual. Springfield, IL:

Charles C. Thomas, 1979.

Blye, Irwin,

and Ardy Friedberg. Secrets of a Private Eye.

Henry Holt and Company,

Carroll,

&

1987.

How to Win Friends and Influence People. New York:

Carnegie, Dale.

Simon

New York:

Schuster, 1981.

John M. Confidential Information Sources: Public

Stoneham, MA: Butterworth Publishers, Faron, Fay. Take the Money

& Private.

Inc., 1975.

and Strut. San

Francisco: Zero to Sixty

Pubco, 1983. Goldfader, Ed. Tracer! The Search for Missing Persons. Los Angeles:

Nash Publishing, Lapin, Lee.

1970.

How to Get Anything on Anybody.

Boulder, CO: Paladin

Press, 1987.

Lapin, Lee.

ISECO,

How to Get Anything on Anybody: Book II.

San Mateo, CA:

Inc., 1991.

Lesko, Matthew. Information U.S.A.

New York:

Viking and Penguin

Books, 1986.

Makower, Joel and Alan Green. Instant Information.

New York:

Tidlen Press, Prentice Hall, 1987.

McCann, John. Find 'Em Fast. Boulder, CO: Paladin O'Hara, Charles Springfield,

IL:

E.

Press, 1984.

Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation.

Charles C. Thomas, 1970.

O

•

Missing Persons

Pryor,

Bill.

Secret Agent, Vol.

Sherick, L.C.

How to

1.

USA

Fountain Valley, CA: Eden Press, 1986.

Use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

York: Arco Publishing

Company,

New

1978.

Thomas, Ralph D. 1027 Secret Sources and Techniques for Locating Missing Persons. Austin, TX: Thomas Publications, 1983.

6

C

w

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

3

9999 02687 893

2

Boston Public Library

COPLEY GENERAL

The Date Due Card

in the pocket indicates the date on or before which this book should be returned to the

Library. Please do not remove cards from pocket.

this

Be

it

for personal or professional reasons,

many

people are faced with the need to find some-

one

—

fast.

Maybe

you're looking for an hdir, a

long-lost love, or parents or children

who were

involved in an

adoption. Perhaps you're searching for a teenage runaway, a

spouse

who abandoned you,

PI or a

bounty hunter

be assigned

or a deadbeat parent.

If

just getting started in the field,

you're a

you may

to find criminals or witnesses to crimes.

Whomever you seek, the resources that will get you pointed down the most direct path to your missing person are right here in

this

book. Author Roger Willard has been in the busi-

ness of hunting people

down

and he has

for years,

built

up

a

storehouse of practical sources that are available to anyone.

Not only does he use them

need If

to

list

them

here, he tells

—and includes duplicates of many of the forms

to obtain the information

someone you know of is

how

you exactly how

you

you'll

require.

missing,

and you're

to start searching, this layman's guide to

offers invaluable tips, pointers,

to

and shortcuts

at a loss as

manhunting

that are guaran-

teed to get you thinking like an investigator and help you find

anyone, anywhere.

A PALADIN PRESS BOOK ISBN 0-A73bM-771-A

90000

9

'780873"647717

ISBN 0-87364-771-8