Pennsylvania Missing Person Investigations

The U.S. Department of Justice reports there are nearly one hundred thousand active missing person cases in the United States, and more than half of those reported are children. Private investigators are frequently hired to locate missing persons or estranged relatives. Many of the adults who become missing are not reported to police as missing person cases because the individual simply lost touch or chose to disappear for various reasons.

Skip Tracing / Missing Person Investigations

The term skip tracing comes from the expression "to skip town". Meaning to leave in a rush, leaving minimal clues behind for someone to "trace" the "skip" to a new location. Skip tracing is a process used to locate someone who is missing and generally requires gathering, organizing and analyzing large amounts of data on an individual to make a conclusion about where he or she is or might be. Done most commonly to locate people to rekindle relationships or handle legal and financial matters.

Anyone who has spent some time on the Internet has probably seen websites that advertise "Find anyone for $15.00" or similar such claims. These are nearly, without exception, useless. At best they will give you a list of old addresses, and often times will provide you with addresses of anyone with the Subject's name. At worst they will take your money and leave you nothing. Such searches will likely just confuse, rather than clarify your search efforts. It is better to hire a professional to do the investigating. Professional private investigators typically are more efficient because they have much more experience, and they often have good relationships with police or other government agencies such as we do at Brian Blackwell.

At Brian Blackwell Investigations, we have access to professional investigator databases not available to the average person that compile phone information, date of birth information, social security number information, social network information, credit information and other information about people and businesses.

We don't just type in a name in our databases and hand over a report. We have a 96% success rate of locating individuals. This is accomplished by being diligent in our investigation and taking the necessary time to cross reference and double check data for accuracy. Don't waste your time and hard-earned money with online databases. They simply don't do justice to what a private investigator can accomplish.

Is There Anyone We Can't Locate?

Certainly. Individuals who frequently change their name, use aliases, change residences, or use alternate social security numbers complicate things, but it is a small percentage. We have access to data and sources to aid in our investigation that are not available to the average person, and the know-how built on over 20 years experience to locate the person you are looking for. Some individuals are harder to locate than others. Those who take extraordinary steps not to be found can require more time and work to locate than the average person. Provide as much information as you can on the individual you are looking for to help in the search. The more information you provide to us, the quicker the investigation is. Some basic information such as full name, date of birth or (approximate) age, last known address, last known employer, most recent photo, vehicle description (license plate number if you know it), and any other information you have. Even little details can prove to be beneficial.

Brian Blackwell Investigations
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
https://www.brianblackwell.biz

Skip Tracing And People Searches

EXPERT SKIP TRACING AND PEOPLE SEARCHES 

Experienced and knowledgeable licensed private investigator at locating:

Relative or friend gone missing 

Childhood friend 
Former employees 
Victims or witnesses 
Relative qualified for inheritance
Client locates
Locating fugitives
Missing persons 
Runaway
Military buddy

As a private investigator, I have investigated a variety of cases but developed a niche in the world of skip tracing and missing person investigations. There isn’t much that is more fulfilling than reconnecting family members, or locating a person sought in a fraud or criminal investigation. I live to put the pieces together, to find answers.

Locating people can sometimes be as simple as using a private investigator database and locating a current address to being extremely difficult when it seems as though the person has vanished into thin air. Regardless of the challenge, the team at Brian Blackwell is prepared to help. We search and keep searching.

Whether you need to track someone down or know if he or she is committing fraud, you can count on the team at Brian Blackwell to provide unparalleled, confidential private investigation services.

Your investigation will be handled in a timely manner, professionally, and discreetly.

Confidential investigation services you can rely on, superior client relations, competitive rates, outstanding work product, and guarantee our focus will be to obtain the results necessary for you to win your case. We guarantee your satisfaction. 

A+ RATING
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Trusted Professionals

Brian Blackwell Investigations
brianblackwell.com

Copyright Brian Blackwell. All Rights Reserved. 

Background Investigations

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS & ATTORNEYS

 

A new nanny or babysitter, a potential tenant, your child's coach, online dating, prospective business partner—in today's society, there are good reasons for wanting to verify the background of people engaged in your life.

In some situations, not knowing someone's history can have dire legal, financial, and personal consequences. Instant online background checks have become widely available and are fairly inexpensive, however, they are often very limited in the scope of information and not always up-to-date.

Though, admittedly more costly, an investigation performed by the team at Brian Blackwell delivers far more reliable, accurate, comprehensive results. We perform a thorough, in-depth investigation that includes the individual's employment status and assets, not a background check that only provides limited information. You need to know the full story.

If you are considering entering into a joint business venture, merger, or acquisition, a professional background investigation report by an experienced, licensed investigator can mean the difference between financial ruin or success. Brian Blackwell can assist with substantiating facts before you assume legal responsibility and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Our Comprehensive Background Investigations consider personal history, business interests, regulatory history, professional licensing and history, criminal and civil cases, financial status and assets, associations, social media and online presence, and political contributions in our investigation.

COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND REPORT

Addresses
Criminal History 
Employment 
Asset Search 
Property Records 
Marriage Records 
Aliases
Professional Licenses 
Social Media Investigation 
Civil Suits
Bankruptcies 
Evictions 
Vehicle Information 
Driving Record

Brian Blackwell background investigations provide attorneys and businesses with valuable and important information. However, it is very important to be aware of their inherent limitations. Be aware that there is no such thing as a national criminal records check. There is one "nationwide" criminal database, the FBI database, also known as NCIC (National Crime Information Center) database. The FBI database is not public record and cannot be legally accessed by anyone other than criminal justice agencies. This is one of the reasons why we frequently physically hand-search documents in the actual courthouse of record.

Having handled a wide range of research assignments, and having access to sophisticated investigator databases, along with a nationwide network of professional investigators available, the team at Brian Blackwell stand behind their ability to deliver meticulously thorough background investigations. We are sensitive to the private nature of these types of investigations and work with our clients to acquire information as quickly, quietly, and efficiently as possible. We provide the information you need to protect your financial stability, safety, and personal interests.

Comprehensive and confidential investigations performed by professional investigators. We don't just research investigator databases, we also provide surveillance to ensure complete verification — we investigate. Database records often only tell half the story. We provide a Comprehensive Background Report. You get the 'complete picture.' You get complete verification of their personal history. You get 'the facts.'

Confidential services you can rely on, superior client relations, outstanding work product, and guarantee our focus will be to obtain the results necessary for you to win your case

A+ RATING
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Trusted Professionals

Brian Blackwell Investigations
https://www.brianblackwell.biz

Copyright Brian Blackwell. All Rights Reserved. 

Open Source Investigations

Open sources are simply records that are available to the public. A few examples of open sources are court, criminal, property, bankruptcy, voter registration, probate, vital, tax, church, marriage, and divorce records. Many of these records can be accessed at your local courthouse, state repositories, or even some nationally-held locations. Some can be located online or over the phone, many times for a fee. Others can only be accessed in person.

There are professional courthouse researchers whose job is to conduct courthouse research. This should tell you that this kind of research is not an easy undertaking. There are rules, fees, etiquette, schedules, and specialized knowledge of where to find what it is you are looking for and how to properly access it.

Open sources contain a wealth of information but are, unfortunately, often overlooked by private investigators. Open source research can be extremely tedious, dirty, and frustrating work. But it can also be incredibly rewarding and valuable in nearly any type of investigation.

brianblackwell.com

Skip Tracing and Finding Missing Persons

Methods to Finding Missing Persons

Whether skip tracing or serving legal documents, private investigators cannot rely on just the Internet to locate their Subject.

Nowadays, a people search often begins on a computer. But even though
private investigators have access to professional databases the general
public does not, we have to hit the streets from time to time to locate missing
persons, interview witnesses, serve subpoenas, and find information that
exists in the streets, not online.

I have built a reputation for locating hard to find individuals to the point where
the majority of my business is now mostly skip tracing and process serving work.
My success comes from dogged determination. I set goals and decide I am not
going to give up until I find the person. To me, there is nothing like the excitement
that comes from accomplishing something difficult. There are no words that
explain the exhilaration one feels after you see someone you have just spent
several days searching for.

Skip Tracing Requires Determination and
Confidence — No Room For Cowards

After gathering data on the "Subject" online, I check their most recent address
in person. If they are not there, sometimes there is someone else there I can
talk to. I find that talking to people provides me with the best information. An
ex-girlfriend / boyfriend or roommate; family; and neighbors can be great
resources.

Never overlook a landlord. Searching for a suspect, I once spent an entire day
checking on different addresses, talking with his family and friends, but it was
talking to a landlord at the first address that paid off. The first address had been
at an apartment complex. I stopped in at the leasing office and talked with one of
the property managers. She had no information on him, but asked for my phone
number in case she saw him. The next day, she called me. She found out the
suspect had a brother who worked at a nearby warehouse, and that the suspect
drove a black pickup truck and would pick up his brother after work every evening.
A lot of landlords won't give up information on a tenant for privacy reasons, but
many will, especially if they don’t like their tenant very much.

If the first home does not provide any results, I go on to the next, and the next if
necessary. What I have found out about checking addresses is that a family
member is living at one of the addresses. Another thing is that people often give
out a false address that is near their real address. Usually it is the same street,
but with a different house number. If no one at the house knows your target,
then knock on the neighbors’ doors. If you have a street number of 116, then
check out 161.

Another technique I sometimes use is calling the target, telling him or her what
was going on, and explain that it wasn’t going away. I then ask if we could meet
on their schedule. Many times, people are happy they have some control over
the situation, and they set a day and time to meet.

In Conclusion

While it is often true that most people feel more inclined to talk with a police
officer than a private investigator, there are a few things a private investigator
can do to set themselves up for a successful conversation such as never being
confrontational, being polite and respectful, and dressing professionally.

And as a final thought: You can also use some elicitation interview techniques.
I will sometimes talk as if I know the Subject, and say something like, “Did he
ever get that job at the ABC Company?” The person you are talking to might
respond with, "No, he is still working at Mike's Auto Shop." You never know until
you try.

Brian Blackwell Investigations

brianblackwell.com

16 Important Things to Know About Court Records

When it comes to how court records are organized, which search methods work best, and how these records can supplement an investigation, there is a lot of information out there. Nearly every private investigators conference has a track on court records, and we hear time and time again that the most reliable and helpful information always come from a trained and experienced private investigator.

16 Important Things You Should Know About Court Records

Below are 16 crucial things investigators should know about court records, how to search them, and how the information can impact your investigation.

1. Court records are one of the most important and underutilized resources in an investigation

Court records don't require any special permission. The beauty of court records is that they are available to anybody. Anybody that knows how to get them can get them.

2. They don't require any special permission

While investigators who work with corporate entities may have access to emails or human resources files, and police officers will have access to certain information and the FBI even further details, court records are available to anybody who knows how to get access to them.

3. They are based on factual information

Court records provide documentation of allegations, proceedings, sworn statements, and affidavits taken under oath.

4. They paint a different picture of a person than interviews with associates will

The documents that you have in court records will provide insight as to whether they have been involved in litigation or are a convicted criminal. This can add a different layer of insight about a person or individual.

5. Court records provide millions of data points for you to access

There are 150 million cases filed each year in U.S. courts. While many of these are traffic violations, small claims disputes, and other minor cases that wouldn't be critical for most investigations.

6. In simplest terms, there are two separate areas of courts: federal courts and state courts

Federal courts handle cases like immigration law, bankruptcy law, social security law, patent law, and other federal laws that are being broken. Federal courts include the below courts (in order of superiority.)

• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals
• Special Courts
• U.S. District Court

State courts handle civil matters like contract disputes, family matters, divorces, and other state-level matters.

In order of superiority, state courts include:

• State Supreme Court
• Superior Court
• Special Courts
• Local Courts

Special courts include tax courts, bankruptcy courts, social security courts, etc.

7. There are 94 district courts in the United States

Most states only have one court, but some have more. California, for example, has four different federal courts.

8. There are over 3,000 county or county-equivalent (borough, parish) courts

In Texas alone there are 250 counties. With Texas' 250 counties, there are 454 district courts, 254 county courts, 18 probate courts, 917 municipal courts, and 822 justice courts.

In New York, there are 62 counties, and within those counties there are 62 county courts, 62 family courts, 62 surrogates courts, 79 city courts, and 1,487 town and village courts.

There are thousands and thousands of courts out there that potentially house records that might be critical to your investigation. Investigators need to have a general sense as to the number of courts that are out there, what you can do to access them, where would the information be that would be relevant to your investigation.

9. Having all known names and aliases is better than having just the birth name

When it comes to researching databases, the information was entered in by a human being, which means there can be a mistake. With nicknames, maiden names, and birth names, a civil suit may initially be filed under a different name. Having the accurate name before getting started can save time. Criminal records present the same issues, even though the police provide aliases and will log the name listed on the person's identification, misspellings and mistakes happen.

10. Civil court records typically do not have identifying information on the person involved in the suit

While you will have the name, within the lawsuit the date of birth, social security number, or address will likely not be included. This is problematic, especially for common names. Criminal records typically include identifying information (i.e. date of birth.)

11. Many courts have their own websites, but you need to understand what you're searching

No matter what database you are searching, you need to understand what is covered by that search, including what types of cases and what dates.

12. Using resources that search the same sources will make finding mistakes and omissions easier

With databases sourced by entries entered by humans, there is a margin of error. This can also help when databases are picky about how names or information needs to be entered in for a search. If you search in multiple databases, it can clue you into mistakes, omissions, and incorrect information.

13. You can find court records on state or federal repositories, court websites, third party databases, and at the physical courts

These are some of the main resources for finding court records. It's highly recommended to search through other databases to make sure there are no omissions, and to pull the record at the court to verify validity.

14. There are 24 states in the U.S. where you can obtain a statewide criminal record check

15. Going directly to the court is the most effective place to obtain records, and you can obtain the documents right there

Databases offer great information on whether a court case exists, but to pull the actual court filings you have to go directly to the court.

16. Valuable information in the docket, complaint or indictment, affidavits, final disposition, deposition and transcripts

• Docket: basic information, chronological order of all details of the case
• Complaint or Indictment: initial information and allegations
• Affidavits: information on the case
• Depositions and Transcripts: sworn testimony, legal arguments
• Final Disposition: how the case ended, charges, pleas

BRIAN BLACKWELL
INVESTIGATIONS

Skip Tracing, Locating Missing Persons

Online People Search verses Hiring a Private Investigator 

At Brian Blackwell Investigations, we use databases that are restricted to licensed investigators, as well as other sources to locate Subjects. Then we take the next step and verify that the information is accurate. After over 20 years in the business, I know the importance of actually checking the information and not just relying on what's on the computer screen.

I recently had a case where a man hired us to locate his wife and determine where his property and a large sum of his money had gone. The client felt the need to be proactive in the investigation. He contacted our office every other day with names and addresses he wanted us to check out in connection with the case. When questioned, he would tell my assistant that he had found those names or addresses with his wife's things. After causing us to go further and further off track, I called him and he told me that he had been doing his own "investigation" using online databases. I pointed out that nearly two thirds of the names and addresses he had given us had no connection or bearing on the investigation and that we had wasted precious time and resources following up on his leads. He agreed to leave the investigative work to the investigators without adding anymore distractions. Within a week we had the information he needed. Case closed.


Brian Blackwell Investigations

Private Investigator Basics: Missing Persons Investigations

Missing persons investigations are the best way to find out the truth about anyone you can't find.

On average, more than 800,000 people are reported missing and are entered into FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) annually. Of these, 85%-90% are minors. These statistics do not include those who are unofficially missing such as those who have not been reported as missing persons.

One of the big problems with police-led missing persons investigations is simply that the term missing persons is so narrow. Police will only begin looking for a missing child at a specific amount of time after the child was last seen and by that time, it may be too late if the child has been kidnapped by a pedophile or child killer. Police are also reluctant, due to thinning resources, to search for people who voluntarily left home or for those who live on the streets. Even in a police-led missing person investigation, police will stop looking after a certain amount of time and will declare the case a cold case. 

Police do their best with the resources they have, but law enforcement simply is not equipped to deal with the crime rates today. Anyone who wants real answers and fast needs to speak to a private investigator. A professional investigator will start looking for someone as soon as you feel uneasy and will continue to search as long as you are still looking for answers.

Skip Tracing - People Locates

Skip tracing is a process used to find someone who is missing. It generally requires gathering, organizing and analyzing large amounts of data on an individual to make a conclusion about where he or she might be. Private investigators and professional skip tracers typically carry out these activities. Done most commonly to find people to rekindle relationships or handle legal and financial situations.

Skip tracing is an colloquial term used to describe the process of locating a person's whereabouts for any number of purposes. The term comes from the word "skip" being used to describe the person being searched for, and comes from the idiomatic expression "to skip town," meaning to depart, perhaps in a rush, and leaving minimal clues behind for someone to "trace" the "skip" to a new location.

The days when you went to the phone book, criss-cross directory, or reverse directory are old-school and costly compared to the skip tracing technology options today. In fact, just looking for an address or a phone number isn’t the only thing investigators can ask of technology.
With the advent of technology in general, the availability and quality of information has expanded dramatically. Price can certainly be an issue, but many times the price is very inexpensive when measured to the benefit gained by it.

Professional investigators are hired to find:

• Long lost loved ones or family members who have voluntarily disappeared or run away
• Fugitives
• Missing persons who have been gone a long time and are part of a cold case
• Runaways and miners who have been kidnapped

Basically, if you are worrying about someone's whereabouts and wish to locate someone who is not easy to find, a qualified missing persons investigator will be able to use advanced techniques to help find the person you are looking for.

Professional investigators use a number of techniques to find missing persons:

• Networking with fugitive recovery agents, law enforcement, other private investigators, or paying informants. Private investigators often have extensive networks of people they can recruit to help them in a search.
• Surveillance and videotaping. Investigators can observe places where a missing person is likely to be or can observe and track a suspect in a missing persons case.
• Searching hospitals and mortuaries. Private investigators can search through a number of facilities where a victim may be.
• Doing background checks, questioning witnesses, and other investigative techniques. Private investigators can turn to others to isolate likely suspects or likely sources of aid in finding a missing person.

Count on the team at Brian Blackwell Investigations to provide you with unparalleled skip tracing investigations. Whether you want to track someone down or know if he or she is committing fraud, we are here for you.

BRIAN BLACKWELL

INVESTIGATIONS